By Shaun Casey

ARMAGH All-Ireland winners Darragh McMullan, Oisin Conaty and Peter McGrane are all jetting off to America for the summer. The Orchard County saw their season end abruptly last weekend at Croke Park.

Kerry proved too strong for the All-Ireland champions and entered the last four in the race for Sam Maguire with an eight-point win. McMullan, Conaty and McGrane were all starters for Kieran McGeeney’s side on Sunday.

The trio helped McGeeney’s men land the ultimate prize last season, for the second time in the county’s history. McMullan burst onto the scene more so this year and became a crucial member of the half-forward line.

McGrane was dropped for last year’s All-Ireland against Galway, with the more physical Connaire Mackin taking his place. The Ballyhegan clubman did get back in this year and started corner-back in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Conaty has arguably been Armagh’s best and most important player over the last two seasons. He won Player of the Match in the 2024 All-Ireland final and collected an All-Star and Young Footballer of the Year.

Conaty and McMullan will team up in America as they have both joined Donegal Boston. McGrane, on the other hand, is off to Philadelphia and has linked up with Young Irelands.

Elsewhere, Armagh stalwart Stefan Campbell has signed for his local soccer club Lurgan Celtic for the upcoming Mid-Ulster Football League season. Campbell missed Armagh’s All-Ireland quarter-final through injury.

The Clan na Gael clubman could be seen at Croke Park with a cast on his arm, with a hand injury ruling him out of the last-eight battle. In a statement club manager Niall Lavery said, “What a player. I played alongside ‘Soup’ for long enough to see what he can do.

“A leader in any changing room. He’ll add pace, power, goals and all-round quality to the team. It’s a brilliant addition that drives professionalism up considerably. Can’t wait to see Stefan back involved and scoring goals.”

Down star Liam Kerr, who missed out on their run to the last 12, will also spend the next few months in America and he’s linked up with Brooklyn Shamrocks for the summer.