McGeeney expecting tough Division One campaign

By Shaun Casey

DIVISION One is the place to be and Kieran McGeeney knows that if his Armagh side, All-Ireland champions just two seasons ago, are to remain dining at the top table, then they need to solidify their position in the top tier.

It won’t be easy, it never is. There’s no margin for error against the best teams in the country and a win on the opening day of the season will get the Orchard County up and running in the best possible fashion.

But Monaghan, who return to Division One football after one year away, will be targeting Sunday’s showdown at Clones as a must win as well, which makes for an intriguing encounter.

“Every match in Division One is big, it’s a huge momentum thing and I’m sure Monaghan will be targeting that one,” said McGeeney, who enters his 12th season in charge of his native county.

“They will have no fear of Armagh, and they’ll have the Scotstown boys back in as well and it’s going to be on their home pitch. It’ll be a tough one, but I haven’t seen an easy one in Division One yet, or in Division Two for that matter.”

Staying in Division One is the main goal for McGeeney, who managed Armagh when they were languishing in the depths of Division Three not so long ago.

“You just play each game and each time you get a point, it’s hard earned,” he added. “You saw last year, depending on when you play some teams it can have a big benefit in the outcome. It’s important for Armagh to stay as competitive as possible and the best way to do that is to stay in Division One.

“It’s a tough ask; we’ve had a lot of changes this year and it’s an unforgiving place for young players. But that’s the beauty of it. They’re going to be thrown into the deep end.”

There’s been a large turnover of players in the Armagh squad over the winter and their injury list continues to grow, with Darragh McMullen add also on the treatment table following a shoulder knock against Tyrone. McGeeney is hopeful some of the injured party will return for the weekend.

“Ben’s back training, so is Jason (Duffy). Ciaran (Mackin) will be a wee bit longer term, Barry McCambridge we’d be hoping and then Darragh Mac (McMullen), we have a good few just to look at.”