By Niall Gartland

ARMAGH chief Kieran McGeeney believes the provincial championships have been, and continue to be, undermined by the top brass at Croke Park.

Ulster Champions Armagh claimed a deserved victory over Derry on their first day out in the All-Ireland series, but there was no such luck for their counterparts in Connacht and Munster – Roscommon and Kerry respectively.

There was also a sense of unease at the GAA’s decision to hold the draw for round one of the All-Ireland SFC before the provincial finals had even taken place, but McGeeney believes it’s part of a wider trend. Indeed, he believes that the GAA want to bin the provincial championships altogether.

“The provincial finalists thing is tough at the minute. Over the last couple of years it seemed in the first game, whether it was in the Super 16 or this, was tough [for provincial finalists]. But I think that’s the way the GAA want it.

“It’s well-seen that they’re looking to wrestle the provincial championships off them, so that’s a fight that doesn’t concern us. But it does seem that the provincial finalists are at a disadvantage.”

Armagh have had to contend with injuries throughout the season, and McGeeney believes the ‘manic’ nature of the game under the new rules isn’t helping matters.

“You can’t slow those things down. The momentum builds up even in that last 10 or 15 minutes. You know that the two-pointers are now a massive part of the game, and especially today when there’s a breeze behind you.

“And you’re just three or four shots away from losing a 10-point lead. So it’s a manic game and that tends to lead to more injuries, there’s no doubt about it. And because of that pace, even innocuous challenges can be quite serious, the size of them and the pace of movement.”

McGeeney also praised the versatility and aptitude of Cian McConville. For Crossmaglen, he’s the classic go-to inside forward, while he’s presently playing in more of a deep-lying playmaking role for his county.

“Cian’s playing exceptionally well. He bided his time. He’s a good player. He’s quick. He’s tidy on the ball.

“It’s a different role he plays for us than he plays for his club, but he’s quality.

“It’s a delight for me to see him do it because he works hard. He’s worked very hard and he’s still working hard.

“He’s willing to do what it takes for the team and that’s a big plus for us.”

On his adapting to a different role in county colours, McGeeney added: “it’s a different game. Cian’s a smart kid as well. He understands the way the game is played now.

“He sees gaps and he sees things that other people possibly don’t, so he sees the opportunities in it.”