PAUL GRIMLEY has revealed he would be interested in taking over as Armagh manager in a caretaker capacity until Kieran McGeeney or another former player is ready to accept the position.
Grimley was assistant manager to Paddy O’Rourke, who resigned after Sunday’s qualifier defeat to Roscommon, and said last night that he would be happy to assume the number one role on an interim basis for one year or more.
“I am not going to run away and hide,” he claimed last night. “I was asked to come in and help Paddy this year, which I did, and we were all very annoyed when he announced in the changing-room after the match that he was resigning. The players were committed to him.
“But I am happy enough to stay on, whether for a one, two or three year term, or in a caretaker role. We have a lot of players farmed out to other counties so until such times as they are freed up, I will do what’s asked of me. If the clubs wish to make a clean break and go in a different direction, that’s fine, but I am here if I’m needed.”
Grimley spent two years as McGeeneys number two in Kildare. He has never made any secret of the fact he believes Armagh’s All-Ireland winning captain will become a hugely successful manager and it’s not yet known if McGeeney will be staying on as Kildare boss beyond this year. He may well be a free agent by the time Armagh begin their search for a new boss.
However, Grimley acknowledges there are other prime candidates too, some of whom are involved with other counties or high-profile clubs.
“Aidan O’Rourke is in Down, Justin McNulty is in Laois, John Rafferty is with Kieran in Kildare and, obviously, Tony and John McEntee have done very well in club management,” said Grimley.
Grimley would like to see the Armagh County Board move fast to appoint a successor to O’Rourke. Although they have time on their side having had their summer finished prematurely, he thinks a speedy appointment would be preferable.
“People have their own commitments elsewhere and no doubt there will be a few twists and turns before the summer is out, but from Armagh’s point of view it’s important not to let this drag on. It would be better it was sorted out sooner rather than later.”
Grimley said the players were annoyed that they had let the travelling supporters and O’Rourke down on Sunday when they lost to Roscommon in Hyde Park.
“Paddy accepted that the ultimate penalty was that he would have to go, but the players and myself were annoyed when he said he was resigning. He is a good man and he had a lot of respect. Results didn’t go his way, as it doesn’t for a lot of us.”
