By Niall McCoy

FORMER Armagh goalkeeper Paul Hearty has said that there is no ill-feeling on his part towards Orchard coach Kieran Donaghy.

The pair have not crossed paths since the famous All-Ireland quarter-final meeting at Croke Park in 2006 when the Kerry man reacted to his goal by roaring in Hearty’s face.

In his autobiography ‘What Do You Think of That?’, Donaghy claims that Hearty was continually giving him verbals and at one stage said “go on Donaghy, you big soft basketball cry baby.”

The Kingdom attacker apologised after a win over Cork later in the campaign but has since told SportsJoe’s The GAA Hour that he regretted saying sorry for his reaction.

‘Star’ is now preparing for his second year as one of Kieran McGeeney’s coaches and although the pair have yet to meet 15 years on, Hearty, speaking in an In Focus interview to appear in next week’s Gaelic Life, said that there would be no issue when they did bump into each other.

“I haven’t seen that man since that infamous occasion. He’s probably in Armagh now more than I ever was, but if I do see him I’ll definitely let him buy me a pint.”

In the career-reflecting interview, Hearty discusses his triumphs with Crossmaglen, the regrets he felt despite All-Ireland triumphs at club and county level and why, at the age of 42, he had no problem helping out the Rangers on county final day last year.

“I was fortunate to be involved with great teams. “That was a golden period for Armagh, and I was so lucky to play in the county’s most successful period.

“There was the late ‘70s and early ‘80s when they got to an All-Ireland final and nicked a few Ulster titles but we played in the most successful period and I am very grateful for that.”