Armagh county football team

Gaelic football team

Armagh

Sport:| Football
Irish:| Ard Mhacha[1]
Nickname(s):| The Orchard men[2]
County board:| Armagh GAA
Manager:| Kieran McGeeney
Captain:| Aidan Forker[3]
Home venue(s):| Athletic Grounds, Armagh[1]
Recent competitive record
Current All-Ireland status:| W in 2024
Last championship title:| 2024
Current NFL Division:| 2 (2nd in 2024; promoted to Division 1)
Last league title:| 2005

First colours

Second colours

|

The Armagh county football team (/ɑːrˈmɑː/ ar-MAH) represents Armagh GAA, the county board of the Gaelic Athletic Association, in the Gaelic sport of football. The team competes in the three major annual inter-county competitions; the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the Ulster Senior Football Championship and the National Football League.

Armagh's home ground is the Athletic Grounds, Armagh. The team's manager is Kieran McGeeney.

The team last won the Ulster Senior Championship in 2008, the All-Ireland Senior Championship in 2024 and the National League in 2005.

## Colours and crest

[edit]

Armagh's county colours are orange and white. Originally they wore black and amber striped shirts until 1926 when Dominican nuns from Omeath, in County Louth knitted the team a pair of orange and white kits ahead of a Junior clash with Dublin which they have kept since.[4] However, the team wore a predominantly black strip against Kerry in the 2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final.[5]

### Playing kit

[edit]

Armagh's playing kit is manufactured by Portadown-based McKeever sports.[6]

### Team sponsorship

[edit]

Team sponsors  Years | Sponsor

|

1991–1993 | Carna Transport[7]
1994–1996 | Newry Building Supplies[8]
1997–2011 | Morgan Fuels[9]
2012–2016 | Rainbow Communications[10]
2017– | Simply Fruit[11]

## History

[edit]

### Foundation - 1982

[edit]

Armagh, represented by Armagh Harps, were the second county to win the Ulster Senior Football Championship in 1890, defeating neighbours Tyrone in the provincial final. A subsequent victory in 1903 marked their second Ulster title; however, this would be their last such success for several decades. Between 1904 and 1949, Armagh appeared in 13 further Ulster finals but failed to secure another title, as Antrim and Cavan emerged as dominant forces in the province, although the county did win the 1926 Junior All Ireland title.

The long-awaited breakthrough occurred in 1950, when Armagh defeated Cavan by four points[12] to claim the Ulster Championship. Their journey ended in the All-Ireland semi-final, where they were defeated by eventual champions Mayo. In 1953, Armagh captured another Ulster title, again defeating Cavan. They advanced to the All-Ireland final after overcoming Connacht champions Roscommon in the semi-final but were defeated by Kerry, losing by four points..

Following their 1953 success, Armagh endured a period of decline. They lost the 1954 Ulster final to Cavan and did not return to the final stage until 1961, where they were defeated by All-Ireland champions Down. This marked the beginning of a particularly challenging era for the county.

During this time, the team faced significant difficulties in maintaining player commitment and assembling a competitive panel. Challenges included poor attendance at training sessions and repeated managerial resignations. The struggles culminated in 1973 with a disastrous National League match against Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon, where Armagh suffered a humiliating defeat with barely enough players to field a team. The manager and the entire county board resigned shortly afterward, marking the lowest point in the county’s football history.[13]

In response to this crisis, efforts were made to rebuild the team’s structure and instil a renewed sense of commitment among players. By 1975, these measures began to show results, and in 1977, Armagh reached the All-Ireland final.[13] The 1977 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final marked Armagh’s second appearance at this stage. Under the captaincy of Jimmy Smyth, they faced a formidable Dublin team. Joe Kernan scored two goals for Armagh, but Dublin’s Jimmy Keaveney contributed 2–6, leading Dublin to a decisive victory.

Subsequently, Armagh captured Ulster titles in 1980 and 1982. However, the county experienced another barren spell, enduring a 17-year wait before claiming their next provincial championship.

### The Two Brians

[edit]

Brian McAlinden and Brian Canavan led Armagh to back-to-back Ulster Championships in 1999 and 2000, before dropping out at the semi-final stage on both occasions to eventual winners Meath and Kerry respectively.[14] This era also saw the emergence of players like Oisín McConville Kieran McGeeney and Steven McDonnell.

### Joe Kernan's Golden Era: 2002–06

[edit]

Following Armagh's loss to Galway in the 2001 Championship, the County Board appointed Crossmaglen man Joe Kernan to the managerial post.Kernan instantly delivered, securing the Ulster and All-Ireland titles in his first year.[15]

Kernan resigned in 2007 having won one All-Ireland title and four Ulster Championships.[16]

### 2007–14

[edit]

Peter McDonnell was appointed Armagh managed for the 2007–2009 seasons. During his time as Armagh manager, McDonnell won one Ulster SFC. After a disappointing 2009 campaign which resulted in Armagh being defeated by Tyrone, Peter McDonnell stepped down as Armagh manager.

Paddy O'Rourke, from the neighbouring county of Down, replaced McDonnell as Armagh manager between 2010 and 2012. During this time O'Rourke won the National Football League Division 2 title.

Paul Grimley replaced O'Rourke as Armagh manager for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Grimley resigned following a one-point defeat to Donegal in the 2014 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final.

### Kieran McGeeney era: 2015–

[edit]

Kieran McGeeney became Armagh manager in 2014,[17] starting with NFL promotion to Division 2. In his first Ulster Championship, they lost to Donegal and exited the All-Ireland qualifiers in Round 2.

Armagh were relegated to NFL Division 3 in 2016[18] and fell to Cavan in the Ulster SFC.[19] In 2017, they narrowly missed NFL promotion but had a strong qualifier run before losing to Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-final.[20]

By 2018, Armagh returned to NFL Division 2 but exited the Ulster SFC and All-Ireland qualifiers early. In 2019, McGeeney secured his first Ulster SFC win as manager, beating Down,[21] but they lost the semi-final replay to Cavan and were eliminated by Mayo in the All-Ireland qualifiers. His term was extended by two years.

In 2020, Armagh beat Derry in the Ulster SFC but lost to Donegal in the semi-final.[22] The 2021 NFL saw Armagh retain Division 1 status, but they exited the Ulster SFC after a heavy loss to Monaghan. McGeeney’s term was extended for the 2022 season.

In 2023, Armagh were relegated[23] from Division 1 of the National League and lost both the Ulster final[24] and the All-Ireland Quarter Final on penalties, but McGeeney retained the backing of the county board and was reappointed for 2024.[25]

2024 saw promotion[26] back to Division 1, though Armagh lost both the Division 2 final and the Ulster Final to Donegal.[27] In the All-Ireland Series, they defeated Roscommon in the quarter final and Kerry in the semi-final before beating Galway in the final to secure their second All-Ireland Championship.[28]

In 2025, Armagh retained their Division One status with wins against Dublin, Tyrone and Derry, and a draw with Mayo.[29]

## Management team

[edit]

Appointed in August 2014, given a two-year extension with a one-year extra option in August 2019, given further extension in 2023,[30] some additions noted.

* Manager: Kieran McGeeney
* Assistant manager: Ciarán McKeever[31]
* Assistant manager until end of 2020 season: Jim McCorry[32]
* Goalkeeping coach: Ciaran McKinney[31]
* Others in backroom team: Kieran Donaghy (from December 2020)[33][34] Conleith Gilligan (from October 2023)[35]
* Strength and conditioning coach: Julia O'Neill[36]

## Panel

[edit]

Team vs Galway in the final, 28 July 2024[37]

| No.  | Player  | Position  | Club

|
|
|

1  | Blaine Hughes | Goalkeeper | Carrickcruppen
2  | Paddy Burns | Right Corner Back | Burren
3  | Aaron McKay | Full Back | Dromintee
4  | Barry McCambridge | Left Corner Back | Clann Éireann
5  | Connaire Mackin | Right Half Back | Shane O'Neill's
6  | Tiernan Kelly | Centre Back | Clann Éireann
7  | Aidan Forker (c)  | Left Half Back | Maghery
8  | Niall Grimley | Midfield | Madden
9  | Ben Crealey | Midfield | Maghery
10  | Joe McElroy | Right Half Forward | Armagh Harps
11  | Rian O'Neill | Centre Forward | Crossmaglen Rangers
12  | Oisín Conaty | Left Half Forward | Tír na nÓg
13  | Rory Grugan | Right Corner Forward | Ballymacnab
14  | Andrew Murnin | Full Forward | St Paul's
15  | Conor Turbitt | Left Corner Forward | Clann Éireann
|  | No.  | Player  | Position  | Club

|
|
|

16  | Ethan Rafferty  | Substitute | Grange
17  | Greg McCabe | Substitute | Shane O'Neill's
18  | Peter McGrane | Substitute | Ballyhegan Davitts
19  | Ciarán Higgins  | Substitute | Maghery
20  | Ross McQuillan | Substitute | Cullyhanna
21  | Shane McPartlan  | Substitute | Clan na Gael
22  | Jason Duffy | Substitute | Cullyhanna
23  | Oisín O'Neill | Substitute | Crossmaglen Rangers
24  | Stefan Campbell | Substitute | Clan na Gael
25  | Aidan Nugent | Substitute | Cullyhanna
26  | Jarly Óg Burns | Substitute | Silverbridge

## Managerial history

[edit]

The era of the two Brians
1995–2001
| NFL | Provincial | All-Ireland | Total

|
|
|
|

Games played | 38 | 13 | 5 | 56
Games won | 18 | 7 | 2 | 27
Percentage won | 47.37% | 53.85% | 40.00% | 48.22%

Joe Kernan's Golden Era
2002–2006
| NFL | Provincial | All-Ireland | Total

|
|
|
|

Games played | 38 | 18 | 14 | 70
Games won | 23 | 14 | 10 | 47
Percentage won | 60.53% | 77.77% | 71.43% | 67.14%

Peter McDonnell
2007–2009
| NFL | Provincial | All-Ireland | Total

|
|
|
|

Games played | 21 | 6 | 3 | 30
Games won | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13
Percentage won | 47.62% | 50.0% | 0.0% | 43.33%

Paddy O'Rourke
2010–2012
| NFL | Provincial | All-Ireland | Total

|
|
|
|

Games played | 22 | 5 | 7 | 34
Games won | 10 | 2 | 1 | 13
Percentage won | 45.45% | 40.00% | 14.29% | 38.23%

Paul Grimley
2013–2014
| NFL | Provincial | All-Ireland | Total

|
|
|
|

Games played | 14 | 4 | 7 | 25
Games won | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10
Percentage won | 28.57% | 25.00% | 71.43% | 40.00%

Kieran McGeeney
2015–present
| NFL | Provincial | All-Ireland | Total

|
|
|
|

Games played | 46 | 8 | 14 | 68
Games won | 25 | 2 | 9 | 36
Percentage won | 54.6% | 25% | 64.29% | 53%

[As of 13 June 2021]

## Players

[edit]

### Notable players

[edit]

For individual player details, see list of Armagh inter-county footballers.

### Records

[edit]

* Stevie McDonnell is the team's top scorer in National Football League history, finishing his career with 33–282 (381) in that competition.[38]

### All Stars

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

Armagh All Stars

Armagh has 30 All Stars, as of 2024. 21 different players have won, as of 2024. No player has won more than three All Stars.

denotes that a player also won Footballer of the Year that season.

1972: Paddy Moriarty
1977: Joe Kernan, Jimmy Smyth, Paddy Moriarty2nd
1980: Colum McKinstry
1982: Joe Kernan2nd
1993: Ger Houlahan
1999: Kieran McGeeney, Diarmaid Marsden
2000: Kieran McGeeney2nd, Oisín McConville
2002: Enda McNulty, Aidan O'Rourke,  Kieran McGeeney 3rd, Paul McGrane, Stevie McDonnell, Oisín McConville2nd
2003: Francie Bellew,  Stevie McDonnell 2nd
2005: Andy Mallon, Paul McGrane2nd, Stevie McDonnell3rd
2006: Rónán Clarke
2008: Rónán Clarke2nd
2024: Barry McCambridge, Aidan Forker, Ben Crealey, Rian O'Neill, Oisín Conaty, Conor Turbitt

## Competitive record

[edit]

The following teams won national titles.

Year and competition  | Squad[39] | Scoreline

|
|

2002 All-Ireland SFC final[15] | Benny Tierney, Enda McNulty, Justin McNulty, Francis Bellew, Aidan O'Rourke, Kieran McGeeney, Andy McCann, Paul McGrane, John Toal, Paddy McKeever, John McEntee, Oisín McConville, Stevie McDonnell, Rónán Clarke, Diarmaid Marsden. Subs: Barry O'Hagan for John McEntee, Tony McEntee | Armagh 1-12 Kerry 0-14
Year and competition  | Squad  | Scoreline

|
|

2005 National League | Paul Hearty; Andy Mallon, Francis Bellew, P. McCormack 0–1; Aaron Kernan 0–1, Kieran McGeeney, Ciarán McKeever; John Toal, Paul McGrane; M. O'Rourke, John McEntee 0–1, Oisín McConville 0–2; Stevie McDonnell 0-10, Rónán Clarke 0–2, B. Mallon 0–4. Subs - Paddy McKeever 1–0, Andy McCann, Justin McNulty, Philip Loughran, Aidan O'Rourke.  | Armagh 1-21 Wexford 1-14
Year and competition  | Squad  | Scoreline

|
|

1926 All-Ireland JFC final  | C. Morgan, H. Cumiskey, Gene Hanratty, J. Vallely, Joe Harney, J. Maguire, Owen Connolly, J. Corrigan, F. McAvinchey, F. Toner, P. Fearon, J. Kernan, H. Arthurs, J. Donaghy, J. McCusker. Sub - J. McEntee for McAvinchey.  | Armagh 4-11 Dublin 0-04
Year and competition  | Squad  | Scoreline

|
|

2004 All-Ireland Under-21 FC final  | G. Wilson, G. Smyth, F. Moriarty, Andy Mallon, Aaron Kernan, Ciarán McKeever, B. McDonald, M. Mackin, G. Swift, G. Loughran, S. Kernan, P. Toal, M. McNamee, R. Austin, B. Mallon. Subs - P. Duffy, B. Toner, J. Murtagh, M. Moore, S. O'Neill.  | Armagh 2-08 Mayo 1-09
Year and competition  | Squad  | Scoreline

|
|

1949 All-Ireland MFC final  | L. McCorry, E. McCann, J. Brattan, J. McKnight, F. Kernan, B. O’Neill, T. McConville, E. Mee, S. Collins, T. Connolly, S. Blaney, J. Cunningham, S. Smith, P.J. McKeever, B. McGrane. Sub - M. McKnight for Collins.  | Armagh 1-07 Kerry 1-05
2009 All-Ireland MFC final  | S. O'Reilly, K. Downey, R. Finnegan, K. Nugent, D. McKenna, N. Rowland, J. Morgan, P. Carragher (0-1), J. Donnelly, R. Grugan (0-1, 0-1f), A. Murnin (0-1), C. King, R. Tasker (0-3), E. McVerry (0-3, 0-1f), G. McParland. Sub - C. McCafferty for Finnegan '53, T. McAlinden (0-1) for McVerry '54.  | Armagh 0-10 Mayo 0-07

## Honours

[edit]

Official honours, with additions noted.[1]

### National

[edit]

* All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
* Winners (2): 2002, 2024
* Runners-up (3): 1953, 1977, 2003
* National Football League
* Winners (1): 2005
* Runners-up (3): 1982–83, 1984–85, 1993–94
* All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
* Winners (1): 1926
* All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
* Winners (1): 2004
* All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
* Winners (2): 1949, 2009

### Provincial

[edit]

* Ulster Senior Football Championship
* Winners (14): 1890, 1903, 1950, 1953, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008
* Runners-up (22): 1891, 1901–02, 1904, 1912, 1917, 1920, 1927, 1928, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1938, 1939, 1949, 1954, 1961, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1990, 2023, 2024
* Ulster Under-21 Football Championship
* Winners (2): 1998, 2004, 2007
* Ulster Minor Football Championship
* Winners (11): 1930, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1992, 1994, 2005, 2009
* Ulster Junior Football Championship
* Winners (6): 1925, 1926, 1935, 1948, 1951, 1985
* Dr McKenna Cup
* Winners (9): 1929, 1931, 1938, 1939, 1949, 1950, 1986, 1990, 1994
* Dr Lagan Cup
* Winners (3): 1954, 1955, 1956

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Armagh — Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Uladh". Ulster GAA. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
2. ^ "Ulster SFC: Dominant Donegal crush Orchard men". Hogan Stand. 14 November 2020.
3. ^ "Forker handed Armagh captaincy ahead of Louth visit". hoganstand.com. 26 January 2024.
4. ^ Neville, Conor (17 May 2016). "6 Counties Who Have Changed Their GAA Kit Colours And The Reasons Why". Balls.ie.
5. ^ Fogarty, John (16 July 2024). "McGeeney: GAA 'very funny' when it comes to jersey choices". Irish Examiner.
6. ^ Armagh GAA and McKeever Sports are delighted to announce a new partnership deal which will see the Portadown-based company supplying all of the Orchard County’s official GAA on-field and off-field gear. - Armagh-i 11 August 2020https://armaghi.com/sport/gaa/homegrown-co-armaghs-mckeever-sports-to-kit-out-orchard-county/114530
7. ^ Pictured at the announcement of the sponsorship by Carna Transport of the Armagh team are, from left, Jim McCorry, Armagh team manager, Barry Hughes, managing director of Carna Transport, Gene Duffy, Armagh County Board chairman, Malachy Watters, chief accountant with Carna transport, and John Morrison, Armagh assistant manager. Lurgan Mail - 17 October 1991 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005200/19911017/421/0042
8. ^ New deal for Armagh COUNTY Armagh gaelic football and hurling received a major boost this week with the announcement that Newry Building Supplies are to sponsor the county's senior, minor and under-21 sides in a three-year deal. Portadown Times - Friday 14 October 1994 - https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005203/19941014/414/0043
9. ^ Morgan has been sponsoring the Armagh team since 1997, having sponsored the county football leagues for two years before that. 8 November 2012 Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/morgan-adds-fuel-to-armagh-sponsor-row/28893728.html
10. ^ Armagh boss Paul Grimley has hailed the arrival of new county sponsors Rainbow Communications. November 02, 2012 - Hogan Stand - https://hoganstand.com/county/armagh/article/index/180249
11. ^ The new sponsor has been named as Simply Fruit, and Paul welcomed managing director Patrick McCann, hailing him as a "true Armagh supporter".https://armaghi.com/news/armagh-news/armagh-gaa-launch-new-jersey/31974
12. ^ "ARMAGH SHOCK CAVAN TO TAKE ULSTER TITLE". Irish Weekly and Ulster Examiner. 29 July 1950. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
13. ^ a b Makem, Peter. "Tommy Lynch, still an Armagh Gaelic Leader after more than 70 years". Irish News. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
14. ^ "GAA: 'Two Brians' to stay". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
15. ^ a b "Armagh are champions". BBC. 22 September 2002.
16. ^ "Kernan resigns as Armagh manager after seven [sic] years". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
17. ^ "Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney is still living the dream - for now". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
18. ^ "Division Two: Armagh relegated as Fermanagh survive". BBC Sport NI. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
19. ^ "Cavan comfortably ease past Armagh challenge". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
20. ^ "All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Tyrone 3-17 Armagh 0-8". BBC Sport NI. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
21. ^ "Armagh book Ulster semi-final spot after extra-time drama against Down". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
22. ^ "Donegal charge out of the traps to blow Armagh away". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
23. ^ "Allianz Football League: Armagh relegated as they lose in Tyrone and Monaghan win". BBC Sport NI. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
24. ^ "Ulster Senior Football Championship Final". Armagh GAA. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
25. ^ "Kieran McGeeney to stay in charge of Armagh with 'strong support' from County Board". Irish Independent. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
26. ^ "2024 Allianz Football League promotions and relegations". GAA.ie. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
27. ^ "Donegal win Ulster as Armagh shootout woes go on". BBC Sport NI.
28. ^ "Armagh edge Galway in nail-biting final to win All-Ireland title". BBC Sport NI. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
29. ^ Malone, Steve. "Armagh secure Division 1 status with 15-point Derry win". RTÉ. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
30. ^ "Kieran McGeeney: Armagh manager to continue for 10th season at the helm". BBC. 7 August 2023.
31. ^ a b "Hughes quits Armagh squad". Hogan Stand. 22 December 2022. "We've also got Patrick McAteer (Mullaghbawn) with the U20 squad so those guys are on board and are working with Ciaran McKinney (goalkeeping coach) and we hope they'll be able to step in when they are needed."
32. ^ "Derry win very special — Armagh assistant boss McCorry". BBC Sport. 1 November 2020.
33. ^ "Donaghy joins Armagh backroom team". Hogan Stand. 14 December 2020.
34. ^ "GAA: Kieran Donaghy joins Armagh's backroom team for 2021". BBC Sport. 16 December 2020.
35. ^ O'Kane, Cahair (1 October 2023). "Conleith Gilligan joins Armagh backroom team". The Irish News.
36. ^ Tierney, Paddy (15 July 2024). "Kieran McGeeney issues Armagh injury update ahead of All-Ireland SFC showdown with Galway". Belfast Live.
37. ^ "Armagh make one change for All-Ireland final". 25 July 2024.
38. ^ "Banner hero David Tubridy already has more history in his sights after becoming highest league scorer of all time". Irish Independent. 1 June 2021.
39. ^ "Armagh are champions". BBC Sport. 22 September 2002.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* The Sideline Eye — online Armagh news and analysis outlet

* v
* t
* e

Armagh GAA

* Founded in 1889

County teams|

* Football
* Hurling

Stadium|

* Athletic Grounds

Competitions|

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National Leagues of the Gaelic Athletic Association

National Football League (2023)

Division 1|

* Armagh
* Donegal
* Galway
* Kerry
* Mayo
* Monaghan
* Roscommon
* Tyrone

Division 2|

* Clare
* Cork
* Derry
* Dublin
* Kildare
* Limerick
* Louth
* Meath

Division 3|

* Antrim
* Cavan
* Down
* Fermanagh
* Longford
* Offaly
* Tipperary
* Westmeath

Division 4|

* Carlow
* Laois
* Leitrim
* London
* Sligo
* Waterford
* Wexford
* Wicklow

National Hurling League (2023)

Division 1|

* Antrim
* Clare
* Cork
* Dublin
* Kilkenny
* Galway
* Laois
* Limerick
* Tipperary
* Waterford
* Westmeath
* Wexford

Division 2A|

* Carlow
* Derry
* Down
* Kerry
* Kildare
* Offaly

Division 2B|

* Donegal
* London
* Meath
* Sligo
* Wicklow
* Tyrone

Division 3A|

* Armagh
* Louth
* Mayo
* Monaghan
* Roscommon

Division 3B|

* Cavan
* Fermanagh
* Lancashire
* Leitrim
* Longford
* Warwickshire

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