Im not sure about this argument that young players and success at underage level doesnt make a difference. About 10 or 12 years ago we had for the only time my brother (whos much older than me) can remember our own Under 14 team (as opposed to being part of the amalgamted St Johns Under 14-s) and we were very successfull in winning an under 14 league. That couple with appearences from St Johns in under 16 and minior finals in the last 5/6 years (different age group to the earlier under 14's) has left us with a crop of very good (by our divisions standards) young players coming through who know how to win. It is probably no coincedance therefore that these good young players coming through such as Shane Smyth and John McCormack and Micheal McQuade etc have resulted in us contesting two junior championship finals (winning one) and winning two promotions in the last three or four years.
Not sure how this relates at the top level of Armagh football but lower down the leagues it appears that youth success can be very helpful for senior success down the line.
Another point I remeber hearing an RTE commentator in 1998 after Galway won the All Ireland saying that good minor teams usually form the backbone for good senior teams when the players on it reach 27 or 28 i.e. 9/10 years after minor level. Armagh won minor Ulster titles in 1992 and 1994 and have had remarkable success at senior level 10 years later, again this may just be coincedance
Not sure how this relates at the top level of Armagh football but lower down the leagues it appears that youth success can be very helpful for senior success down the line.
Another point I remeber hearing an RTE commentator in 1998 after Galway won the All Ireland saying that good minor teams usually form the backbone for good senior teams when the players on it reach 27 or 28 i.e. 9/10 years after minor level. Armagh won minor Ulster titles in 1992 and 1994 and have had remarkable success at senior level 10 years later, again this may just be coincedance