Armagh beat Derry at the Athletic Grounds and Kieran McGeeney walked away with more than a win. The Armagh manager used the post-match spotlight to question how the game was refereed, saying officials should let managers know before throw-in which rules they plan to ignore.
It was the kind of result that changes the shape of a championship campaign. Armagh made it five wins on the trot and moved to within one match of the All-Ireland quarter-finals, with McGeeney describing the performance as workmanlike rather than polished.
The game swung on sharp moments at both ends. Tiernan Kelly struck with a superb left-foot shot after Lachlan Murray had put Derry in front with a goal, and McGeeney said Armagh had handed the visitors a very soft goal from a short kick-out. Derry were then punished later for a breach, after McGeeney had already complained at half-time about what he saw as an infringement of the 4v3 rule.
That complaint did not sit well with Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh, who said McGeeney’s half-time ferocity had influenced the officials. McGeeney’s answer was blunt. He said some people are good at pointing the finger, and added that the real issue is that everyone should know the parameters of the game before it starts. He also said referees need to clarify which rules they are going to ignore so managers can tell their players.
The result leaves Armagh in strong shape, but not without a cost. Andrew Murnin came off late in the game after what McGeeney said seemed to be cramp, though that was the only fitness concern mentioned. Armagh will now go into Tuesday’s second round draw against one of the other seven round one winners, with a fortnight to recover before their next challenge. McGeeney said the road only gets harder from here, and for a side trying to get back to the direct route to Croke Park, that may be the clearest warning of all.
