McGeeney expects 'tough one' for Armagh in Monaghan
McGeeney is in his 12th season as Armagh manager
- Published
Armagh football manager Kieran McGeeney expects Sunday's Division One opener away to Monaghan [14:00 GMT, live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport NI website] to be a "tough one".
The Orchard County's top-flight status for 2026 came down to victory over Tyrone in their second game last year with both teams finishing on level points and the head-to-head tie-breaker came into effect.
In a tough division, such small margins can be be the difference between survival or even a place in the final, so going into the season opener against the Ulster neighbours, McGeeney is aware of the importance of each game.
"Every match in Division One is big," he said.
"Monaghan will be targeting that one and will have no fear of Armagh.
"It's on their home pitch, so it will be a tough one but I haven't seen an easy one in Division One yet or Division Two for that matter."
McGeeney is going into his 12th season as manager of his native county and is the longest-serving current manager of any county in football or hurling.
While that continuity remains on the sideline, there are changes in playing personnel with Stefan Campbell, Niall Grimley, Rian O'Neill, Shane McPartlan, Jemar Hall, Ciaran Higgins, Ciaron O'Hanlon and Mark Shields stepping away.
McGeeney used Armagh's Dr McKenna Cup games to run his eye over some of the fresh faces including Aaron O'Neill, Padraig O'Keefe and Feargal O'Brien who were all given their chance and while he accepts Division One is an "unforgiving place" for newcomers, the goal is to remain in the top grade.
"We just play each game because each time you gain a point it's hard earned," he added.
"You saw last year that wherever you play some teams can have a big benefit to the outcome.
"It's important for Armagh to stay as competitive as possible and the best way to do that is to stay in Division One, but it's a tough ask with a lot of changes this year.
"It's an unforgiving place for a lot of young players but that's the beauty of it to be thrown into the deep end."
