Manager McGeeney salutes Conaty impact

By Michael McMullan

KIERAN McGeeney paid tribute to Oisin Conaty on the back of Armagh’s Ulster success on Sunday in Clones.

The Orchard County needed extra-time to see off the brave Monaghan challenge.

In the end, it was Oisin O’Neill’s goal that broke the game but the victory had Conaty’s fingerprints all over it.

When a Beggan kick-out popped out of Karl Gallagher’s hands,Conaty fed Rory Grugan with a kick pass and he picked out O’Neill to score.

There was Conaty’s sixth point at the start of the second half of extra-time, coming after Armagh won the throw in after Monaghan got hands on the ball for the previous three throw-ins.

It was Conaty’s five points that pulled Armagh into the driving seat after a strong Monaghan opening spell.

“I thought he was superb,” McGeeney said. “He got extra-special attention in the second half.

“He couldn’t get on those runs but I think he’s a superb player, he’s a great lad too.”

The other side of Conaty’s impact came with the pace he added when isolated on the wing to take defenders on.

On one occasion, Oisin O’Neill’s two-point threat sucked defenders in, then the ball was spooned across for Conaty to do his thing.

“He’s very coachable,” McGeeney added on Conaty’s value.

“He knows he has a target on his back every day now.

“I think the biggest quality or biggest compliment I can pay him is he’s a team player.“He knows it’s team first and he’s always willing to do that. When you have that ability, it’s hard not to be selfish but he’s an out-and-out team player.”