Aidan O’Rourke has been appointed as the new Armagh Minor manager for the upcoming 2024 season at tonight’s County Board Meeting.
Stefan Forker (Maghery), Chris McCarron (Wolfe Tones) and Pat McGeough (Forkhill) will make up his backroom team.
The 2002 All-Ireland winning defender takes over from outgoing boss Brendan Hughes, who spent three years in charge.
Hughes, who took over from ex-Armagh captain Ciaran McKeever in 2021, stepped down at the end of the Championship campaign.
Under Hughes’ watch, the Orchard County finished in third place during the round robin series. Their group was made up of four teams, namely Tyrone, Cavan and Antrim.
Armagh lost both their encounters to Tyrone and Cavan following an opening round 0-9 apiece draw with Antrim.
That was enough to see Hughes’ side qualify for the last eight. While they put in a brave performance, Monaghan, who reached the Ulster and All-Ireland finals, proved too strong.
Armagh’s record at minor level has been poor in recent years. They have recorded just one championship win from last previous ten outings.
O’Rourke brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the set up having been involved with various county teams down through the years.
The Dromintee man spent the 2023 season with Donegal where he stepped in as interim manager following the resignation of Paddy Carr.
Donegal suffered relegation to Division Two, along with Armagh, and lost to Down in the first round of the Ulster Championship.
O’Rourke’s side did put up a better showing in the All-Ireland group stages. They beat both Clare and Monaghan while also losing to Tyrone.
O’Rourke, an All-Star winner in 2002, stepped down following Donegal’s defeat to old rivals Tyrone.
He’s had previous involvements with Down and Louth and worked alongside Kieran McGeeney in Kildare and Armagh.
