McGeeney welcomes Armagh's new boss

Former All-Ireland winning captain Kieran McGeeney has welcomed Peter McDonnell's appointment as Armagh's new senior football manager - succeeding Joe Kernan - but has expressed disappointment at the way the county board handled the transition.

McGeeney is an old colleague of McDonnell, having played under him at Mullaghbawn, the last club to win an Armagh county title before Crossmaglen went on their run of 11 consecutive county titles. McGeeney was also close to Paul Grimley, the man originally tipped to succeed Kernan having acted as his selector before moving to Cavan's backroom team last year.

"I've known Peter a long time," said McGeeney. "He's also a very close friend, and so I'm going to be very biased, and say he's a first-rate manager, and an excellent coach. He first coached me in athletics, in the 100 metres sprint. He was European champion himself, at junior level. He's a fantastic athlete as well.

"But having said all that, I'd still be very disappointed with the way the county board treated Paul Grimley. But then maybe I'm always fairly honest, and find it hard to come across people that might be the same way.

"Paul Grimley, and maybe Brian McAlinden, are two people I've come across with the most impeccable integrity. Maybe when Paul left for Cavan some people thought that was, well, unfortunate. But Paul is an Armagh man to the back bone."

Grimley has since left the Cavan set-up, apparently clearing the way for his return to the Armagh management team. In opting for McDonnell, however, the county board have essentially made a fresh start, and McGeeney admitted his own playing future was in some doubt, at least until he clarified things with the board.

"The county board have probably made things quite clear, but I'll have to speak with them," he said. "But Paul Grimley is not stupid either. Everybody has a shelf life, and a certain amount of time that you can play for. There are a lot of fantastic players coming through in Armagh. The likes of Ciaran McKeever, Brian Mallon, Kieran Toner.

"They've still to be moulded into a championship winning team, but that can be done in a year. It just depends on the willingness of the players.

"I suppose one thing you find in sport is no matter how big you think you are, your boots are always fairly easily replaced. I haven't given up yet. I just have to speak with the county board, and clarify their situation first."

McGeeney turns 36 next month and if he does continue for another season would be among the oldest players around - not that such a tag would bother him: "If you're 31 or 32 and someone turns you, it's because you're too old. If you're 21 it's because you're inexperienced. If you're 25 it's because you've had a bad game.

"To me, a player is over the hill when he has consistently bad performances. You have bad games at 21 or 22 as well. I look back on last year and think I had a good National League, a good game against Donegal, and a good second half against Derry. I know I'm older than most, but I still feel I'm able to compete. I don't see any reason why myself, Paul McGrane, Enda McNulty, can't go on. If you're good at it then you're good enough, if you're not, you're not. Age is irrelevant. And I think most players know themselves when to call it quits."

McGeeney was speaking at yesterday's announcement by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) of the extension of associate membership to club players, supporters and officials. Unlike county players, associate members, won't have voting rights.

But they will be entitled to a range of benefits under the GPA, including a 25 per cent reduction on motor and home insurance, reduction on health insurance, and discounts on Opel cars.