Kieran McGeeney: Rian O’Neill isn’t fully fit but he still showed his class against Donegal

Armagh and Donegal had to settle for a share of spoils on Sunday afternoon, following a game of twists and turns.

Both sides had chances to win it, with Donegal missing a penalty on 66 minutes, whilst Armagh had the lead in stoppage time but couldn’t hold on.

After the game, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney was asked as to whether it was a point gained or a point lost, and after a game in which momentum swung back and forth, he was content to say that a draw was probably a fair result.

“Listen, you can argue it both ways for both teams. It was more technical than all out football,” he said.

“There were times where I would have took the point, and there were times I was crying that we didn't get the two points.

“But it was a good game, it was nip and tuck, and I suppose both teams will learn a lot about themselves.”

Super subs

The game marked the first minutes that Armagh’s talisman Rian O’Neill has got yet this season, as he came off the bench on 46 minutes, returning from injury.

O’Neill kicked a cracking score, which was so nearly the winner, and although McGeeney says that while O’Neill’s fitness isn’t just at 100 percent yet, he still carries a touch of class.

“It's great to have him there, and he knows that he still has to get fitter; he has only been training for a while,” said McGeeney.

“But still and all, he scored a point that probably only two or three other players in the country could score. So, that's what you have when he's on his game.”

As mentioned many times this season, Armagh look to have great strength in depth, and the calibre of substitutions was telling.

Alongside O’Neill, Jason Duffy, Jarly Og Burns, Stefan Campbell and Jemar Hall were the players brought off the bench – all cornerstones of Armagh’s team in recent years.

Furthermore, Barry McCambridge, Oisin O’Neill, Tiernan Kelly and Ciaran Higgins were unused subs, whilst Ethan Rafferty, James Morgan and Callum Cumiskey remain side-lined with injury.

That bodes well for Armagh, who continue their push for promotion this Saturday night when they travel to Fermanagh.

For full match report and more reaction see this week’s Newry Reporter – in shops Wednesday February 28!