Messages

Any word on the young lad from Clans who was called up to the Seniors last year only to suffer a bad fracture/break.  Sorry, his name escapes me at the moment, but he had been touted as a tenacious wing-back.

Trueblue - I understand your call for caution.  And of course, young lads should not be rushed into senior county squads - if they re not good enough.
From what I've seen of young McKenna (in my opinion he has the most potential of Cross's burgeoning talent) he could hold his own among Armagh's current midfield options.  I know he is a tall rangy lad who will fill out, but I have already seen him outfield an established county midfielder much earlier this year as well as deliver incisive and visionary passes you'd associate with a player more seasoned. He seems to have improved significantly from his county minor days and next season he could be more than a viable option.  You don't know until he's tested among such company.
Armagh's midfied, for me, was our weakest line last year - apart from the h/f line, of course.  While McGrane and McGeeney coped admirably, often thjis was an aera where we were out run and outfielded.  When we played Derry in the league last year I was horrified to see Johnny McBride give McGrane a 2 yard start in a race for the ball and win pocession uncontested.  McBride is not a noted speed merchant.  McGeeney can't cope with the likes of a D O Se, Nicolas Murphy in terms of clean fetches (few can), but McGeeney lacks vital height for this area. 
The Meath game last year also exposed the paucity of our midfield options.  Swift was replaced and Loughran fared not much better.  Mackin works hard, but may lack just that little bit of class (although in the fist McKenna Cup game last year he was running the show).
If McKenna's good enough he's worth trying.  We lack a that bit of class in the middle of the field and I feel if Armagh are to have a shot at any success next year it is vital that we have the best of the new bunch playing with the best of the old bunch who are still the best in their positions.  Anyways, he'll not be cnsidered until after 17 March (hopefully), and perhaps the two (again, hopefully) AI club games will show if he has that bit of class I suspect he has.

Congratulations to Crossmaglen.  An inspiration to all clubs.  Very pleased for Martin Califf and Donal Murtagh - the best full back in Armagh during the 90s.  I always thought his reading of the game was second to none, and in Calliff he has a no-nonsence shrewd advisor.

Well done to all involved.

David McKenna od Cross.  Is it too early for him to be considered for the County seniors?

Ben - I just don't want to see someone lost to football who has a genuine chance of contributing to what could be a very good county U-21 side.  I know quite a few of the South Armagh lads and we could have the makings of a good U-21 side this year.  By all accounts he appears to be a natural athlete.

As you seem to know Coulter, it would appear that hurling is his first love, but would you say that he would forgo the football should such a decision have to be made.  I don't know if that is that hypothetical a question because, while you offer the Paul McCormack case as evidence, he was rarely a starter on the football team.  And it could be a suggested that the hurling management were happy to have him attend football to supplement his fitness training, whereas Coulter could likely be getting regular football with the U-21s and the risk of injury may lead to management intervention.  Unlikely, perhaps.

Are Swift and Toal eligible for county U-21s this year?

Ben - I would have thought that the committment county managers now require would have taken the choice to play both codes out of Coulter's hands and that he'd have to concentrate on one, especially as Armagh hurling is stepping up to senior.

As well as that, Coulter has been well decorated for his hurling exploits and may feel that playing both codes at the level he is may come at the detriment to one.  In this instance, would hurling be he preference?  Are these unreasonable suggestions?

Benny - who are the 4 guys in Oz who would have been eligible?

Will Coulter be an U-21 footballer this year, or will the hurling be his first priority?

Thanks, A.

Appreciate it if anyone could let me know if TG4 are intending to show the Cross v Ballinderry game?  Cheers.

I have heard very positive things about the natural ability of young Toal of Armagh Harps but that attude may be a problem.  Has he that much potential?  Can he become a senior regular?

I understand Ballymacnab's and Stewardstown's tune is 'I predict a riot'.

Any reports on how the Armagh fared against Monaghan in a recent challenge game?