McGeeney: Blaine and Ethan are pushing each other on

CHOOSING between Ethan Rafferty and Blaine Hughes to guard the Armagh goals is an extremely difficult decision says boss Kieran McGeeney after his side saw off old rivals Tyrone last Saturday evening.

Hughes was in sublime form last season as the Orchard County collected the Sam Maguire trophy, conceding just two goals in the championship. He also started the opening round of the NFL against Galway.

Rafferty did replace the Carrickcruppen man late on in Salthill and earned the starting spot for Tyrone’s visit to the Cathedral City. Rafferty put in a magnificent performance, earning the man of the match award on RTÉ.

The Grange man, who has experience playing both midfield and in the forward line at county level under McGeeney, kicked 0-5, including a brace of two-pointers, set up numerous other scores and even made a point-blank save.

“We know what Ethan can do but Blaine wouldn’t be that far behind him and he’s going to be pushing hard,” McGeeney said of the competition for the number one shirt. “Ethan was only back last year from injury and Blaine took his chance and we would feel he was outstanding.

“I would have felt he was the best ‘keeper in the country last year, especially in the championship, I’d have no doubts about that whatsoever. He’s going to be pushing and chomping at Ethan’s heels.”

Armagh flew into a 14-point half-time lead with many of the spectators squeezed into the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds perhaps assuming the game was done and dusted. That certainly wasn’t the feeling in the Armagh changing room however, as McGeeney explained.

“We would think that it was a nine-point breeze. Four two-pointers and a point, it’s not even that big of a gap. That’s the thing, before, nine or ten points, you’re home and hosed.

“Even those last couple of minutes when they brought it back to six and seven, it’s really only two scores (and they’re back in it). There are the goals obviously and then a couple of two-pointers and they’re right back in the game.

“I do like it from play (the two-pointers) but I’m not a big fan of being able to break it back outside the arc for a free. I think that’s a big penalty, it is like a penalty.”

It’s Donegal next for Armagh, following a one-week break where they intend to improve fitness levels. “It’s a lot of hard work,” McGeeney said when asked about the break. “You have to use these weeks to get some sort of work into the legs and that’s what it’s going to be for the boys.”