Manager McGeeney salutes Conaty impact

KIERAN McGeeney paid tribute to Oisin Conaty on the back of Armagh’s Ulster success on Sunday in Clones.

The Orchard County needed extra-time to see off the brave Monaghan challenge.

In the end, it was Oisin O’Neill’s goal that broke the game but the victory had Conaty’s fingerprints all over it.

When a Beggan kick-out popped out of Karl Gallagher’s hands,Conaty fed Rory Grugan with a kick pass and he picked out O’Neill to score.

There was Conaty’s sixth point at the start of the second half of extra-time, coming after Armagh won the throw in after Monaghan got hands on the ball for the previous three throw-ins.

It was Conaty’s five points that pulled Armagh into the driving seat after a strong Monaghan opening spell.

“I thought he was superb,” McGeeney said. “He got extra-special attention in the second half.

“He couldn’t get on those runs but I think he’s a superb player, he’s a great lad too.”

The other side of Conaty’s impact came with the pace he added when isolated on the wing to take defenders on.

On one occasion, Oisin O’Neill’s two-point threat sucked defenders in, then the ball was spooned across for Conaty to do his thing.

“He’s very coachable,” McGeeney added on Conaty’s value.

“He knows he has a target on his back every day now.

“I think the biggest quality or biggest compliment I can pay him is he’s a team player.“He knows it’s team first and he’s always willing to do that. When you have that ability, it’s hard not to be selfish but he’s an out-and-out team player.”