Armagh’s coaching club

Justin McNulty (Laois)

A committed defender during his playing days, McNulty was an important figure during possibly the greatest period in Armagh GAA history. After hanging up the boots, the 2002 All-Ireland winner moved into management. He previously managed Laois between 2010-2013, guiding them to promotion to Division One and an All-Ireland quarter-final in 2012. He returned to the role in 2024, inheriting a team competing in Division Four. His Laois side won promotion in his first season back and reached the 2024 Tailteann Cup final, where they lost to Down.

Oisin McConville (Wicklow)

McConville is one of the most celebrated forwards ever to represent Armagh. A key member of the 2002 All-Ireland-winning side, he was renowned for his scoring ability and composure under pressure. His club career with Crossmaglen was equally successful, bringing numerous county, provincial and All-Ireland honours. After retiring from playing, McConville moved into coaching and management, eventually taking charge of Wicklow in 2022. He helped the Garden County gain promotion to Division Three in his first season, before leading them to the 2026 Tailteann Cup title and achievement secured Wicklow a return to the Sam Maguire competition in 2027.

Tony McEntee (Down)

Another All-Ireland winner from that 2002 side, McEntee enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Crossmaglen, and he later established himself as one of the most respected coaches in Gaelic football. At club level, he helped the Rangers secure back-to-back All-Ireland club titles in 2011 and 2012. McEntee subsequently joined the Mayo management team under Stephen Rochford, coming close to ending the county’s long wait for an All-Ireland title by reaching finals in 2016 and 2017. He then managed Sligo for five seasons before joining Conor Laverty’s Down backroom team for 2026, bringing considerable inter-county experience to the Mourne County.

Aaron Kernan (Meath)

Kernan enjoyed a highly successful playing career with Crossmaglen and Armagh and recently retired from the Rangers at the end of the 2023 campaign. Kernan missed out on Armagh’s glorious All-Ireland winning season in 2002 but did nab an U21 All-Ireland title two years later. Since finishing his playing career, Kernan has developed his coaching experience at inter-county level. He worked with Sligo under Tony McEntee during the 2025 season before joining Robbie Brennan’s Meath management team for 2026, where they gained promotion to Division One for next year.

Paul Hearty (Louth)

Another Armagh and Crossmaglen legend who was part of the history making 2002 All-Ireland winning team that has since entered the coaching circuit, Hearty won everything there was to win as a player. He enjoyed an extraordinary career with Crossmaglen, winning 19 Armagh SFC medals, 11 Ulster titles and six All-Ireland club crowns. He retired from Armagh duty in 2012 and finished up playing for club career in 2017. Hearty is a member of Gavin Devlin’s Louth management team, and the Wee County enjoyed a glorious season, reaching the final four in the race for Sam Maguire.

John McEntee (Monaghan)

The latest member of the 2002 All-Ireland winning team to join the inter-county ranks, McEntee will be along the sideline for Monaghan next year and will line up beside his twin Tony when Monaghan take on Down in Division Two of the National League. McEntee enjoyed brilliant success at club and county level and managed Crossmaglen to their most recent Ulster title, alongside Oisin McConville, in 2015. He continued his club managerial career and won a Monaghan SFC title with Clontibret in 2019 and brought Inniskeen to deciders in 2023 and 2025, losing narrowly to Scotstown on both occasions.

Kieran McGeeney (Armagh)

McGeeney has been consistently involved in the inter-county game every year since beginning his playing career in 1989. He did of course captain Armagh to their first ever All-Ireland crown in 2002 and was involved in the counties most successful ever period. Once he hung up the boots, McGeeney jumped straight into management and guided Kildare to numerous Leinster finals and an All-Ireland semi-final in 2010. He returned to Armagh as a coach under Paul Grimly in 2014 before taking charge the following season, where he remains. McGeeney did of course manage the Orchard County to All-Ireland success in 2024.