Kieran McGeeney names experimental side for Armagh's McKenna Cup opener versus Donegal

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney will give first team debuts to 14 of his starting 15 players in Wednesday night’s Dr McKenna Cup game against Donegal in Ballybofey.

The competition has long been known as a stage where new faces can stake their claim and McGeeney’s line up makes no secret of the fact that it is not Armagh’s priority this season. However, it may give supporters plenty of reason to be optimistic for the future, with so many young players named.

Locally, Killeavy’s Conor Magennis and Silverbridge’s Sean Conlon will be players to watch after tremendous seasons with their respective clubs in 2023, whilst Clan na Gael’s Callum O’Neill – who captained St Colman’s in their MacRory Cup campaign last year – is a very exciting prospect.

Armagh team in full:

Rhys Stevens (Pearse Ogs); Cathal Agnew (Armagh Harps), Sam McLarnon (Clan na Gael), Conor Magennis (Killeavy); Emmet Magee (Clann Eireann), Sean McCarthy (Clann Eireann), Joe Sheridan (Madden); Tadhg Grimley (Armagh Harps), Paddy Carr (Madden); Sean Conlon (Silverbridge), Brendan O’Hagan (Clan na Gael), Callum O’Neill (Clan na Gael); Cianan Campbell (Clan na Gael), Daniel Magee (Clann Eirean), Michael McConville (Clan na Gael).