Armagh have to keep ‘plugging away’ in their search for first Ulster title in 16 years says Kieran McGeeney

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney says his side have to keep ‘plugging away’ as they go in search of a first Ulster title in 16 years.

The Orchard County breezed past Fermanagh 3-11 to 0-9 on Sunday to set up a derby day clash against Down in the last four.

The same two sides met at the semi-final stage last year, which Armagh won by 12 points. Since then, Down look to have improved under Conor Laverty and should be in a better place going into next Saturday evening’s encounter.

Are Armagh a better side than they were 12 months ago?

“I think it’s hard to say. I think Armagh have been in a decent place this last four or five years,” answered McGeeney.

“We got beat by Derry last year on penalties and everything Derry are doing is brilliant and everything we are doing is a load of s****. That is just the way sport goes.

“You can't get any closer, and they [Derry] are classed as a top team. All we can keep doing is plugging away. It is not that we think we can't do better, we can, we just have to get better in those tight moments.”

With the other top contenders for the Anglo Celt Cup Derry, Donegal and Tyrone all on the other side of the draw, Armagh certainly have a chance to claim the provincial title, but for McGeeney, the focus now is that his side continues to build momentum.

“For us it is about momentum the whole time, get and build momentum, play the top teams and come out better in the results part of it,” he said.

“Anytime you get the chance to play in those finals or against, the top four or five teams you have to take them because it gives you and honest assessment of where you are on that day.”

On Sunday, Armagh had Fermanagh blown out of the water with three first half goals via Conor Turbitt, Jarly Og Burns and Stefan Campbell and McGeeney was pleased with what he saw.

“I was very happy with the first half, the work-rate was excellent and the three goals obviously gave us a big cushion and I know the game petered out a wee bit but I am very happy with the result,” McGeeney said.

“The work ethic of the lads, getting Rian [O’Neill] and Jarly Og [Burns] in from the start, they gave us a great 40 minutes and that set the tone in terms of work ethic. Rian got his points, Jarly Og was excellent as well and I am very happy with everybody, it is a good start for us."

For full match report and more reaction see this week’s Newry Reporter – in shops Wednesday April 17!