Kernan quartet have point to prove

GAELIC GAMES: A FEW MINUTES before the Armagh v Dublin National Football League match was cancelled in Crossmaglen last Sunday Joe Kernan stuck his head into the press box to welcome us lot to his patch of the universe.

For the first time as far back as Aaron Kernan can remember, his dad is not running a team. Kernan senior called time on the most successful reign as Armagh manager after defeat to Derry in last year's All-Ireland qualifiers.

"He doesn't miss too many games," said Aaron, "I'll give him that there now. He's at every game under the sun but I suppose it's like a bug that is tough to get rid of."

Big Joe is off to Australia for a month soon to visit his sisters.

"He has never been there because he was always tied down through football."

Anyway, his departure initiated a new era in Armagh football under Peter McDonnell. Not that the Kernan name will be out of the limelight as younger siblings Paul and Tony join Aaron and Stephen on the senior panel.

"Certainly there is a freshness to the team. There's a lot of young boys coming through that Peter has given a chance to as he has worked with Armagh at underage level and had a bit of success."

McDonnell took the under-21 reins in 2005, just after the All-Ireland title was captured by a team that included Aaron and Stephen.

Was it time for Joe to go? The question may have been slightly unfair, but chip off the old block that he is, Aaron doesn't bat an eyelid: "I don't know. He felt himself that it was the right time for him to go.

"I sort of stick along the lines of players play, managers manage and stay out of any of that.

"From a family point of view we were very proud of everything that he achieved with both club and county. He has brought a lot of success. Maybe he felt it was time to step aside and let someone come in with a new, fresher approach, who knew some of the younger players coming through."

Kernan's departure immediately ended any snide remarks about preferential treatment.

"I know he would have got plenty of stick had he four sons in the panel so it is up to us to justify being there under Peter."

Warming to the family theme, we ask does Joe still provide words of wisdom about his son's career?

"Mum would nearly say more to you than Dad would. He lets you go out and stand on your own two feet. We have to fight our own corner and prove our own worth.

"It's not just about the four Kernans out there. It's about Armagh and how we progress. There are a lot of new players out there."

Before moving to the more pressing matters of Meath in Navan tomorrow evening there was one more question concerning the old man. The return?

"I don't know. Maybe in a few years' time you might see him maybe back with Crossmaglen. I can't see it being the last time he ever manages a team but I don't think I could ever see him managing another county or (a different) club team. If he ever comes back it will be with Crossmaglen."

There are some familiar faces in this developing group. Francie Bellew is back after a long injury lay-off while Enda McNulty, Ronan Clarke, Paul McGrane and Steven McDonnell remain from 2002.

The Dublin cancellation means a three-week period against three genuine championship rivals, Cork being the other, so it will certainly go some way to establishing the credentials of the new-look Armagh.

"They are three of the best teams in the country so it sets us up well. We'll know exactly where we stand coming to the championship.

"Everything seems to be going well at the minute but the next three weeks will tell the tale."