PARTY PIECES

McGeeney put puzzle together through years of graft to create winning ticket

- KARL O'KANE

BACK in his early days as Armagh boss, when Kieran McGeeney sat down for interviews, he'd often turn the narrative to one of his favourite topics.

With his Orchard side struggling to gain a foothold in Ulster and beyond, progress appeared minimal in the initial years after he stepped up from coach under Paul Grimley - to manager (2015). As a player it took him over 10 years of hard toil at senior level before he ascended the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Sam Maguire in 2002.

In interviews he would reference the journey of an Armagh side forged in the cut-throat environment of straight knockout Ulster Championship foot-ball in a golden era when four All-Ireland titles came to the province.

McGeeney's current Armagh side have followed a remarkably-similar pattern to his playing days.

They toiled and struggled, with many calling for McGeeney’s head along the way, until in year 10, with plenty of coaching and player changes along the way, Armagh landed the county's second All-Ireland title.

The depth of the squad they've built along the way came into glaring focus last year, and it's proved to be their greatest strength.

Barry McCambridge — a Football of the Year nominee and key midfielder Niall Grimley didn't kick a ball in last year's Ulster Championship, and yet they were absolutely key to Armagh's against-the-head All-Ireland triumph.

This year Armagh had just six starters from last year's decider victory over Galway as they turned over a rising Tyrone side in the Ulster semi-final. That's a remarkable stat.

Those six were largely non-negotiables in McCambridge — Ben Crealey, Rory Grugan, Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty and Paddy Burns.

Aaron McKay a regular last year - hasn't played a minute this season, while Rian O'Neill is only two games back into his return to action.