From BBC NI Sport
McDonnell is new Armagh Manager
Peter McDonnell has been appointed to succeed Joe Kernan as Armagh county football manager.
On Wednesday night, the Armagh county board opted for McDonnell ahead of Paul Grimley and Michael McConville.
McDonnell guided Mullaghbawn to the Ulster Club title in 1995 and also achieved another provincial success with Errigal Ciaran five years later.
He then had stints with Burren and Armagh Harps before guiding Armagh U21s to this year's Ulster title.
McDonnell has a big act to follow after Kernan's historic successes with the county over the past six years.
Kernan guided Armagh to their historic All-Ireland triumph in 2002 as well as four provincial titles - including a three-in-a-row from 2004 to 2006.
Grimley was part of the Armagh backroom team for all those successes before he left Joe Kernan's backroom team 13 months ago.
Last month, Grimley resigned as assistant manager of Cavan in order to concentrate on his attempt to secure the Armagh post and he is likely to be hugely disappointed at being overlooked for the role.
There has been speculation that a number of prominent Armagh players were keen that Grimley would get the job.
McDonnell will inherit a talented squad but his first task may be to ascertain whether several experienced players wish to prolong their intercounty careers.
These include the likes of Kieran McGeeney, Oisin McConville, Paul McGrane and Enda McNulty.
Not sure I'm all that pleased about this; hope I'm proven wrong! I'm gutted for Big Paul though.
Does that mean John Morrison will be coach of the Armagh team?
Quote from: Redhandfan on September 05, 2007, 10:03:08 PM
Does that mean John Morrison will be coach of the Armagh team?
Sadly No, apparently John has accepted Mickey Harte's invite for a 3 year stint.
I'd hoped Paul Grimley would get the nod - it would be good if he joined the backroom team but that would be wishful thinking now.
Best of luck to Peter - no doubt he will do a sterling job as we still have bucket loads of talent and he has an in depth knowledge of all those coming through the under age ranks.
Good luck to McDonnell, he has big boots to fill.
Interesting to see how the elder players respond to this.
Surprised by choice. perhaps they thought McDonnel was a fresh start and Grimley was a step back, opening divisions with Cross, etc
Had Grimley any pedigree in terms of managing a side to any noted success?
McDonnell seemed the logical and natural choice to me.
Quote from: ONeill on September 05, 2007, 11:28:33 PM
McDonnell seemed the logical and natural choice to me.
on what basis?
QuoteMcDonnell is the choice although the word is that the vast majority of club delegates were in favour of Grimley but the vote was aborted when it was obvious that only about 15 were in favour of the appointment.
The above message was taken from
www.orchardcounty.comCan anyone confirm or deny this?
Surely the new manager should have been appointed with the support of the club delegates.
If the above quote is correct then I'm afraid that it does not bode well for Armagh.
Quote from: Uladh on September 05, 2007, 11:43:16 PM
Quote from: ONeill on September 05, 2007, 11:28:33 PM
McDonnell seemed the logical and natural choice to me.
on what basis?
Not surprised you don't know. (coming from the man who stated Joe definitely wasn't going/there was an executive bust-up/McAlinden's coming back....i've actually started to make a tidy profit from gambling on the opposite of what you predict...)
Speak to any manager in the managerial circuit. McDonnell is highly regarded in terms of his managerial capabilities - he's even held in high esteem in Tyrone for his achievements there! He knows the talent coming through better than anyone (a la Harte in '02). His training methods are legendary in their effectiveness and innovation. This man is the complete managerial package.
Then take a look at the other candidates. Grimley is massively overrated in Armagh. He gained a cult following during the messy divorce with big Joe. His capacity to go behind a manager's back as well as his mately approach to some of the more established members of the Armagh panel was a big no-no. Despite the widely-held opinion in Armagh that he's an 'intelligent' manager (or would make one), he's nothing of the sort.
Armagh have made an excellent and well-informed choice.
I don't want to open a massive can of worms here, but...
We all know both county managers and many club managers get a few pound/euros for their troubles - Peter's CV looks like he is a career GAA manager -
Anyone any idea of what Armagh will be paying him? (its expenses only of course!)
Quote from: plain man on September 06, 2007, 01:17:13 AM
I don't want to open a massive can of worms here, but...
We all know both county managers and many club managers get a few pound/euros for their troubles - Peter's CV looks like he is a career GAA manager -
Anyone any idea of what Armagh will be paying him? (its expenses only of course!)
He wont be getting anything more than expenses from the county board ;) but i am sure that there are a few men about Morgans and South Armagh that will be willing to dip into their pocket to make the whole thing a little sweeter especially if he can make armagh a top team again, which in my opinion only requires good motivation and about 2 years to replace players like McGeeney and McConville.
Armagh had the luxury of good choices. Now that the appointment is made I am delighted. Peter is successful in his private and professional life based on hard work. He will make a positive difference to Armagh
The past is past. lets look forward to good times again under McDonnell. will he bring loads of new lads in for McKenna cup? Most new managers give everybody a chance to prove themselfs.
Quote from: Armagh Exile on September 06, 2007, 12:14:44 AM
QuoteMcDonnell is the choice although the word is that the vast majority of club delegates were in favour of Grimley but the vote was aborted when it was obvious that only about 15 were in favour of the appointment.
I am not underestimating the credentials of McDonnell and his Backroom team for one minute here but the above statement that ARmagh Exile posted was repeated to me 3 or 4 times last night. Your right it doesn't bode well for the future of Armagh football and if this is the truth you wonder is JK still running things in the county board? If it is to be believed, did he put McDonnell's name forward ahead of John Rafferty?
Grimleys set up looked very good and for one minute I do not believe that it was a step backwards. Bringing in men with the calibre of James McCartan and Aidan O'Rourke would have only benefited Armagh and for the young players to work under these men would have brought them on a great deal! Again let me reiterate that McDonnell has a quality proven record but just something tells me that this was not as cut and dry as it was made out and if the rumblings from last nights meeting are to be believed, there are some serious questions to be answered.
Quote from: ONeill on September 06, 2007, 12:29:50 AM
Not surprised you don't know. (coming from the man who stated Joe definitely wasn't going/there was an executive bust-up/McAlinden's coming back....i've actually started to make a tidy profit from gambling on the opposite of what you predict...)
Shane, I'm sure that Uladh is well fit to fight his own battles with you, but over on the other thread on the local GAA board Uladh said this on the 7th August:
Well the county board have asked one of the candidates to put together their backroom team in advance and have offered their current county job to someone else. there's only one candidate already working for the county board...So all of one month ago, he told us who the new manager was. I presume therefore you didn't get rich gambling against tha particular prediction.
I think this is will prove to be an astute decision, who will McDonnels backroom team be?
Had Grimley lined up James McCartan and Aidan O'Rourke to be his back room team if he had got it?
I thought he was referring to John Raff back then?
I think it's good that there was serious thought given to appoint the new manager. It shows that there was at least 2 excellent options. However, although everyone I chat to has a lot of time for Paul Grimley, looking from the outside (not having met either man), it seems that McDonell would be the progressive option, after his dealings with the 'new brigade' who will be Armagh's future, rather than past!
hugely disappointed that grimley didnt get in,some people have questioned what he has done which i cant believe...if you ask anyone who played under grimley/big joe for the county then they will tell you that it was grimley who had the bigger influence on them,im not taking anything away form big joe beofre some people jump down my throat..dont think peter will have the same respect that grimley has merited in this county,anyhow no matter what il still be supporting him and hopefully he can take armagh back to where we belong..sin e
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 06, 2007, 08:23:11 AM
Quote from: ONeill on September 06, 2007, 12:29:50 AM
Not surprised you don't know. (coming from the man who stated Joe definitely wasn't going/there was an executive bust-up/McAlinden's coming back....i've actually started to make a tidy profit from gambling on the opposite of what you predict...)
Shane, I'm sure that Uladh is well fit to fight his own battles with you, but over on the other thread on the local GAA board Uladh said this on the 7th August:
Well the county board have asked one of the candidates to put together their backroom team in advance and have offered their current county job to someone else. there's only one candidate already working for the county board...
So all of one month ago, he told us who the new manager was. I presume therefore you didn't get rich gambling against tha particular prediction.
I see. This is the same thread when he first stated:
Armagh won't be needing a new manager which was
Common knowledge round these parts ....and from.....
Peter McDonald has a long etablished pedigree and probably knows the talent and potential within the county better than anyone ....and ....
Grimley as manager with McDonald as the right hand man and McGeeney as player coach looks like the best option to me...to now......
Joke appointment. bargain bin decision . In fact that thread sums up what is worst about Armagh football in general. If Uladh and a sizeable proportion of the Armagh posters on this board stopped repeating what bar-room pundits say, they'd be taken more seriously.
Quote from: Goats Do Shave on September 06, 2007, 08:36:49 AM
I thought he was referring to John Raff back then?
Goats, I think the whole senior management team had resigned / been stepped down at that stage. I took it that he was referring to McDonnell at that stage.
Does anybody know why John Rafferty withdrew his candidacy?
Quote from: MÓC on September 06, 2007, 08:53:14 AM
Does anybody know why John Rafferty withdrew his candidacy?
Non-football related reasons.
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 06, 2007, 08:49:48 AM
Quote from: Goats Do Shave on September 06, 2007, 08:36:49 AM
I thought he was referring to John Raff back then?
Goats, I think the whole senior management team had resigned / been stepped down at that stage. I took it that he was referring to McDonnell at that stage.
Yeah he had, - but do you reckon McDonnell knew then he had the post??
I'm not surprsed by this at all - he provides continuity amongst the younger lads and knows the older lads inside out.
As i've already stated I thought Grimley was a cert for the job after giving up his post with Cavan?!?!/
Whats your views on this HANK???
Happy enough to see Mcdonnell get the job, unfortunately I don't think there'll be any significant change in tactics from the JK era, but I don't think any of the candidates were offering that (def not Grimley who I would say is very cautious). It'll be interesting to see his back room team, a lot of talk about McGeeney having some sort of role which I wouldn't object to, but if he hasn't I hope he retires, he seems to have an awful lot of influence with players and maybe within the county board too and that is certainly something that any new manager could do without.
PG will feel that he has been completely shit on...there is no way he left Cavan without being giving some reassurances that the job was his...after all he was not doing his work in Cavan for nothing, and now he is left with nothing. The politics of footie.
Just heard that 80% of clubs voted for Grimley but the Co Board siad they would resign if McDonnell didnt get the job???? WTF??? ::)
Apparently Grimley had Tony Scullion and wee James McCartan as his backroom staff....
If this is true then the whole Co Board stinks of piss and are a complete joke!!!! JK- he hasn't gone away you know!!!!
Shane this is football talk... away back to the tractor reversing thread like a good man.
Out of the country at the minute and haven't time to get into the underhand process which took place to deprive grimley of the job, but a few points.
Kernan was staying until a row over money caused him to spit the dummy out. he had already a lot of plans in place for 2008.
McDonnell was annointed by joe as his successor weeks ago (yes, the county board still bow the knee to the great man).
As well as joe's endorsement, McDonnell's requirements in tems of player support and preparation represented a huge reduction in cost from joe's era, and therefor what pg would require.
those clubs interested in the process were livid at the meeting last night and contributions from the floor were stopped as it was getting out of hand. however, many clubs were indifferent to the appointment either way.
Grimley's backroom team were tony scullion and james mccartan.
Pure f*ckin joke!! McDonnel is a good man and i "think" he'll do a good enough job but the way in which the process was carried out is a disgrace.... :o
Apparently is was the experince McDonnell gained while at Errigal Ciaran that swung things in his favour.
Was anyone at the meeting - first of all , WAS THERE A VOTE TAKEN ? If there wasn't a vote taken, how can you say that 80% of clubs voted for Grimley ?
Tony Scullion works with Ulster Council - that's his job - So he wouldn't have able to take the job.
James Mc Cartan is a Down man - a rival -
How can you claim that Grimley would have taken a Derry man and a Down man with him to form his backroom team ?
How come you all know Grimley's backroom team, but not Mc Donnells ?
What's all this about the Co. Board resigning ? Why didn't you let them resign if it was so undemocratic ?
Quote from: Over the Bar on September 06, 2007, 11:02:27 AM
Apparently is was the experince McDonnell gained while at Errigal Ciaran that swung things in his favour.
:D
Good man OTB. Now anything we achieve with the new manager will be down to the knowledge he gained in our neighbouring county :D
Quote from: orangeman on September 06, 2007, 11:02:56 AM
Was anyone at the meeting - first of all , WAS THERE A VOTE TAKEN ? If there wasn't a vote taken, how can you say that 80% of clubs voted for Grimley ?
Tony Scullion works with Ulster Council - that's his job - So he wouldn't have able to take the job.
James Mc Cartan is a Down man - a rival -
How can you claim that Grimley would have taken a Derry man and a Down man with him to form his backroom team ?
How come you all know Grimley's backroom team, but not Mc Donnells ?
What's all this about the Co. Board resigning ? Why didn't you let them resign if it was so undemocratic ?
McDonnell's backroom staff were meant to have been Martin McQuillan and Packy McConville but he was asked to change this???? I cannot confirm this 100% but i will when i get speaking to someone later on...
Anyone know what happened at the meeing in Armagh last night?
Be very interesting to see where big Paul goes from here, as Max touched on he has already cut all ties with cavan so he must have been pretty confident of getting the post and I for one Im surprised he didnt.
But with all county boards, its all about money and politics.
"You scratch my back, i'll scratch yours" kinda mentality.
Who should make county manager appointments; should it be done by the County Board or in conjunction with the Clubs within the County? Who is best placed to make a critical appointment like this and it is indeed critical. I'd presume a sub-committee was selected by the Co Board and that this group would interview prospective candidates and then put their findings to the full board who'd then make the choice.
Quote from: orangeman on September 06, 2007, 11:02:56 AM
Tony Scullion works with Ulster Council - that's his job - So he wouldn't have able to take the job.
Thats right - is it not a fact that if you work for the Ulster Council like Tony Scullion and Eugene Young do for example part of their terms of employment are that you can only actually manage/be involved with teams from within your own club? ???
Don't rule out a BBC headline of "Uproar in Armagh at new appointment" or some other usual negative spin...
Quote from: orangeman on September 06, 2007, 11:02:56 AM
Was anyone at the meeting - first of all , WAS THERE A VOTE TAKEN ? If there wasn't a vote taken, how can you say that 80% of clubs voted for Grimley ?
Tony Scullion works with Ulster Council - that's his job - So he wouldn't have able to take the job.
James Mc Cartan is a Down man - a rival -
How can you claim that Grimley would have taken a Derry man and a Down man with him to form his backroom team ?
How come you all know Grimley's backroom team, but not Mc Donnells ?
What's all this about the Co. Board resigning ? Why didn't you let them resign if it was so undemocratic ?
There was a show of hands to gauge if a formal vote was required. the vote didn't take place as it was overwhelmingly in PG's favour. clubs spoke from the floor against the co board's recommendation and it was ended with the announcement that it was the co board's job to appoint the manager and the club endorsement was not necessary.
Scullion, who had been approved by the ulster council in advance, and McCartan were PG's backroom team. there's no debate about this.
McDonnell has no backroom team in place as the county board deemed his proposals as not good enough and he will finalise in the next two weeks. MDonnell's original proposals are to be given the u21 job as a pay off.
county board didn't need to resign as there is nothing formal in the appointment process demanding the clubs consent.
Peter McDonnells backroom team was proposed as Packie ad McQuillan, that is true, and I think that Packie will be part of the setup. While I welcome McDonnells appointment, I would have liked to have seen Tony Scullion in particular working with the team.
McDonnell obviously has great belief in the players coming through, he is the man who knows them best, and dare I say it, he is the manager who has gotten the best out of SK.
mcdonnell has a good pedigree 2 ulster club championships and ulster-u21 so has had success.he will know the younger players in the squad well,and some of them are evidently going to have to play starting roles with the immenent retirement.i dont see what everyone problem is.tyrone used mickey harte's knowledge of minor and under21 success to appoint the most successful manager in history why can mcdonnell not be a springboard for armagh?i for one will be giving him my full support.
there are a number of posters on armagh threads that think they know everything that goes on everywhere,when its rumour and "pub talk".
grimley may well have done a good job for joe i am not disputing that.however,a number of people calling for grimley are the same ones who lambast joes selections and tactics.
Quote from: charlie stubbs on September 06, 2007, 11:47:39 AM
to appoint the most successful manager in history why can mcdonnell not be a springboard for armagh?
Steady on Charlie! :o
meant in reference to more allirelands
First things first, both men would have done a good job. I do however feel that Peter's experience with winning at club level and the success he has achieved with the u-21's makes him a slightly better candidate.
He is also tactically very astute and generally could adapt his gameplan better than most to suit the flow of a game.
Grimley may have had great ideas and the respect of the players but he may have had too little experience of managing winning teams.
The main thing is that the decision has been made, and suggestions of skullduggery and underhanded behaviour, guided by other people's agendas are not helpful and will undermine the man before he has had a chance to prove himself.
Move on, get behind him and wait to see what happens.
BTW, thebandit, I think you'll find Peter Rafferty was the manager when Stephen was on the u-21 team.
agree with you bc1
Quote from: thebandit on September 06, 2007, 11:47:19 AM
dare I say it, he is the manager who has gotten the best out of SK.
when was this exactly?
Things must be very different up round McDonnell's former club. every person i've spoken to today, and there hasn't been much else talked about through the oul mobile, from all facets of armagh football are up in arms about this. even mullaghbawn men can't believe it.
I'm sure McDonnell will do his very best and might do a good job but the fact is the best man did not get the job.
Uladh based on what, Grimleys six year stint as an assistant. Grimley has not proven himself as amanager, he has never had to tell a player he dropped, make sure he is in the mental frame, make those hards calls on championship day infront of everyone to be judged, and then cope with the pressure all of it brings...no he has not...now the other man Mc Donnell has...the facts all add up...not the what ifs...any thing that was done was done with the permission of big Joe, the manager
I'd have to agree that Grimley being the best man for the job is a tenuous claim, best supported of the candidates maybe.
Quote from: Maximus Marillius on September 06, 2007, 12:22:55 PM
he has never had to tell a player he dropped, make sure he is in the mental frame, make those hards calls on championship day infront of everyone to be judged, and then cope with the pressure all of it brings...no he has not...
with the greatest of respect max, you don't really know what you are talking about. the above were things that all fell to grimley, not to joe. granted joe took the flak to the press afterwards but the praise with it. If you knew much you would know that grimley was also the manager in cavan so all of those things were under his unbrella there also, with keoghan being simply a front.
If McDonnell is the best we have to offer we are in trouble. the mullaghbawn players were this year looking rid of him mid season as his methods were ancient and his tactics non existent. he ulster championship this year was a penalty kick for that u21 team and truth be told they underachieved massively.
At one stage I thougt they might bring Paul Grimley and Mc Donnell in together to keep everybody happy.
I wouldn't be too sure about that story about Joe Kernan staying on but there was a dispute about money ????? Sure Joe doesn't get paid ? Or does he ?
Quote from: Uladh on September 06, 2007, 12:31:57 PM
If McDonnell is the best we have to offer we are in trouble. the mullaghbawn players were this year looking rid of him mid season as his methods were ancient and his tactics non existent. he ulster championship this year was a penalty kick for that u21 team and truth be told they underachieved massively.
"A penalty kick"? Considering Tyrone won the same AI at minor level and Down reached the AI Semi, I thought that an Ulster championship at u21 this year was far from "a penalty kick" for Armagh.
As much as it pains me to say it ;) good luck to him. There's nothing like having to prove everybody wrong that encourages success
I heard the crack was good last night in the hotel. still the decision is made and as others have said they were two very strong candidates. We should row in behind McDonnell now. I heard that Grimley did not leave the Cavan post because he thought he had the job but rather to place the committee under pressure to appoint him.
Surely the backroom team must include people outside of the South Armagh mafia ( Benny O'Kane maybe??)
I'd like to wish Peter McDonnell the very best with his new appointment.
Obviously the county board have been less than forthcoming with their reasons and the process has been underhand to say the least. McDonnell was the county board's choice many weeks ago and the time taken was an attempt to force grimley into declaring for his cavan job. having called their bluff, the county board had to work overtime justify overlooking Grimley. The final and most disappointing act was to deny the clubs their say on the matter, which was the point of last night's meeting.
John rafferty withdrew the day after the interviews. John had been well informed before hand of the county board's intention to install mcdonnell and the work already don to this end. he turned up to the interview and read a prepared statement, which took the county board apartment for their amateurish methods and their underhand dealings. he answered no questions.
none of these tip of the iceberg issues are the fault of peter mcdonnell, who i'm sure will do a good job for armagh.
I hope Mr Mc Donnell has very thick skin,because he is going to get dogs abuse. Armag have slide, need to rebuild, but there are not many in Armagh prepared to wait for him to do this so they win their 24th All Ireland.
I agree with Orchard warrior and wish Peter all the best!!!
I dont think its actually the appointment of Peter McDonnell thats annoying people so much, its the underhand tactics of the sneaky county board that are causing upset here?!?!? >:(
Quote from: Candyman on September 06, 2007, 01:23:34 PM
I agree with Orchard warrior and wish Peter all the best!!!
I dont think its actually the appointment of Peter McDonnell thats annoying people so much, its the underhand tactics of the sneaky county board that are causing upset here?!?!? >:(
Agreed
Where to now for Grimley ? Back to Cavan ?????????
Quote from: Orchard Warrior on September 06, 2007, 01:10:36 PM
.
Obviously the county board have been less than forthcoming with their reasons and the process has been underhand to say the least. McDonnell was the county board's choice many weeks ago and the time taken was an attempt to force grimley into declaring for his cavan job. having called their bluff, the county board had to work overtime justify overlooking Grimley.
John rafferty withdrew the day after the interviews. John had been well informed before hand of the county board's intention to install mcdonnell and the work already don to this end. he turned up to the interview and read a prepared statement, which took the county board apartment for their amateurish methods and their underhand dealings. he answered no questions.
Are we talking facts here or merely speculation?
Quote from: Sandy Hill on September 06, 2007, 01:39:49 PM
Quote from: Orchard Warrior on September 06, 2007, 01:10:36 PM
.
Obviously the county board have been less than forthcoming with their reasons and the process has been underhand to say the least. McDonnell was the county board's choice many weeks ago and the time taken was an attempt to force grimley into declaring for his cavan job. having called their bluff, the county board had to work overtime justify overlooking Grimley.
John rafferty withdrew the day after the interviews. John had been well informed before hand of the county board's intention to install mcdonnell and the work already don to this end. he turned up to the interview and read a prepared statement, which took the county board apartment for their amateurish methods and their underhand dealings. he answered no questions.
Are we talking facts here or merely speculation?
Sandy, based on Orchard Warrior's previous posts to this board, I would guess "facts".
Quote from: Sandy Hill on September 06, 2007, 01:39:49 PM
Are we talking facts here or merely speculation?
facts unfortunately
Lads - whats the point in electing a county board? Is it to do all the work and make all the decisions that don't interest ye?
Quotehe ulster championship this year was a penalty kick for that u21 team and truth be told they underachieved massively.
You are losing the run of yourself Uladh with that comment!!
I'd like to wish Peter McDonnell all the best. And while I'd love to see him run Armagh football back into the grave it was in from 1981-1998, I doubt that will be the case despite the furore his appointment has caused!
Max, I think all sane Armagh supporters realise what's in front of us. I think we can now expect a few more retirements and more young blood coming in now. I am an optimist and I see further titles out of the new crop of talent but realisitically not for 2/3 years. I expect us to remain competitive though, and nobody will want to draw us in the first round next year. OTB, I think it's been made clear any furore at his appointment is not anti-McDonnell.
Anyone been talking to Grimley ? Might there be a role for him in the set up ??
QuoteOTB, I think it's been made clear any furore at his appointment is not anti-McDonnell.
No, theres a definite pro-Grimley theme to it!
Quote from: Over the Bar on September 06, 2007, 03:19:47 PM
I'd like to wish Peter McDonnell all the best. And while I'd love to see him run Armagh football back into the grave it was in from 1981-1998
Funny, I seem to remember being at an all-Ireland semi final during those years.
were ye watching Down (Twice) or was it Donegal or Derry? ;D ;D
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on September 06, 2007, 03:58:45 PM
were ye watching Down (Twice) or was it Donegal or Derry? ;D ;D
Unless Colm McKinstry arose from that grave and played for another county, I think we can safely say it was Armagh.
Will the elderstatesmen resign ? Mc Geeeny is a Mullaghbawn man - I hope they all stay on - but they all owe Armagh nothing.
Good luck Peter.
This crack about votes and nominations. Only one club nomianated Big Joe back in 01 and it wasn't his own. Club football will prosper as will the county.
Could turn out to be a good choice. McDonnell will bring a freshness to the job and will be familiar to the younger members of the panel. This should help with the team building that's going to be needed. If we're going by his record rather than the opinions of ball stool pundits, neither Errigal Ciaran, Mullabawn nor Armagh U21s had a bagful of Ulster titles before he took them on, so he must have something going for him. Paul Grimley has the experience of operating at the top level and would have been popular with the senior members of the squad. But the Armagh job is not about a popularity contest. Would Grimley have been cut out for the team building part of the job? Or is he a better man for directing the well oiled machine? The Muhammad Ali letters and the Al Pacino lines served their purpose well a few years back when the team was at a certain juncture in its development, but now? Maybe that's being a bit unfair on Grimley. As for the touted backroom team of McCartan and Scullion – big names, but big names and 'dream tickets' don't always live up to expectation.
There's a lot of talk here about the selection process. I would like to think that each candidate was given a fair interview and that they were assessed on their merits. None of us here (I assume!) were involved in that process and got to hear what each candidate had to say. The club voting thing is an irrelevance imo. It should be the county board's job to pick the manager, not delegates by way of a vote.
Good luck to Peter McDonnell. Bring her home.
to tell you the truth,id like it if Cavan County Board would get over themselves and offer Grimley his job as coach back.
Best of luck with yer New man anyway Armagh Heads. :)
QuoteWill the elderstatesmen resign ? Mc Geeeny is a Mullaghbawn man - I hope they all stay on - but they all owe Armagh nothing
I doubt if McDonnell will be urging them to stay on. Armagh supporters will allow McDonnell 2-3 years grace to build a new team to challenge and keeping geezer and co well beyond their grazing years would smack too much of hanging onto JK's legacy. I'd expect he'll be glad to see tha back of the old-guard from the outset to freshen things up and in case they might present any challenge to his authority.
But Mc Geeney, Mc Grane, Mc Nulty are ALL leaders and will be needed.
QuoteBut Mc Geeney, Mc Grane, Mc Nulty are ALL leaders and will be needed.
Every team needs a leader or 2 but not ones whose legs won't hold up come this time next year. I'd be pretty sure McDonnell doesnt exactly NEED them and if the county board thought they were needed they'd have opted for the popular choice of Grimley.
Are we on religion this morning or what?
that was a lovely mass father!!
Reading the papers this morning, it looks like Mc Geeney is set to spit the dummy out of the pram - this will be quite sad - I was hoping that something else more positive would bring the currtain down and not a stroy like this.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on September 06, 2007, 12:04:52 PM
BTW, thebandit, I think you'll find Peter Rafferty was the manager when Stephen was on the u-21 team.
I must have been on the funny stuff writing that :D
Quote from: Over the Bar on September 06, 2007, 10:59:31 PM
QuoteWill the elderstatesmen resign ? Mc Geeeny is a Mullaghbawn man - I hope they all stay on - but they all owe Armagh nothing
I doubt if McDonnell will be urging them to stay on. Armagh supporters will allow McDonnell 2-3 years grace to build a new team to challenge and keeping geezer and co well beyond their grazing years would smack too much of hanging onto JK's legacy. I'd expect he'll be glad to see tha back of the old-guard from the outset to freshen things up and in case they might present any challenge to his authority.
There was a report on the radio this morning stating that Mc Geeney was upset at the way paul grimley was treated and it now meant the probabe end of his inter county career.
QuoteMcGeeney welcomes McDonnell's Armagh appointment
07/09/2007 - 11:50:32
Armagh's 2002 All-Ireland winning captain Kieran McGeeney has welcomed the appointment of Peter McDonnell as the county's new senior football manager.
"He is an excellent manager. I had Peter with Mullaghbawn and he is also a close friend so I'm going to be fairly biased," McGeeney said of the new Armagh boss.
"He is a first rate manager and an excellent coach - he used to coach me for athletics for the 100 metres sprint and stuff like that. He was a European Championship himself at Junior level.
"He is a fantastic athlete and a great man and I wish him all the best."
However McGeeney did express some reservations that Paul Grimley, who was Armagh assistant manager until 2006, will not be part of the Orchard county set-up after he resigned as Cavan assistant in order to pursue the Armagh job.
"I would have to say that I am very disappointed with the way the Armagh County Board treated Paul Grimley. Paul and Brian McAlinden are two men that I would have come across who have impeccable integrity.
"Paul Grimley is an Armagh man to the backbone like Brian but these things happen and that is the way life goes," he added.
The 34-year-old McGeeney is confident new man McDonnell can make his mark on the inter-county scene, having worked under him when Mullaghbawn won the Armagh county title in 1995.
"Peter knows his stuff and I suppose Mullaghbawn was very lucky at that particular time with a very, very strong defence. We had the two McNultys, myself and Neil Smith so out of your first seven, six of them basically were on the county squad.
"We were always able to deal with Crossmaglen's forward power but we probably wouldn't have had the same power up front ourselves. Peter was able to mould us into a team. When I first started playing for Mullaghbawn in 1986 we were in the fourth division but we came up to win it so it was a good achievement."
McGeeney denied that the appointment of Grimley would have guaranteed him a place in the squad as an 'elder statesman' and he sees the future as a bright one for Armagh football regardless of his own plans.
"Paul is not stupid either and everybody has a shelf life about the amount of time you can play for.
"We have younger players coming through also that are fantastic players, the likes of Kieran McKeever and Brian Mallon and Kieran Toner and all of those younger boys. They are going to have to be moulded into a championship winning team, but that can be done in a year," said the Na Fianna clubman.
"Everybody thinks it takes a number of years to build a team, some people have done it in a year and for some people it takes ten years.
"It depends on the willingness of the players and I think that bunch of lads have a great willingness. There are some fantastic players coming through and I think it shouldn't be too long and hopefully in the near future they do well."
Does peter McDonnell know the road to Lurgan? if so tell him not to bother as all the good players from there have retired :D :D
On a serious note i know nothing about that man, don't even know what he looks like. what type of guy is he?? Is he the "kick the door thru" guy or a quiet talk??
I saw him interviewed on d'telly last night for a brief few moments. Not fair, I know, but first impression - politician.
The quiet man...
Any word on the backroom staff?
Quote from: illdecide on September 07, 2007, 01:43:31 PM
Does peter McDonnell know the road to Lurgan? if so tell him not to bother as all the good players from there have retired :D :D
On a serious note i know nothing about that man, don't even know what he looks like. what type of guy is he?? Is he the "kick the door thru" guy or a quiet talk??
He's the type of manager who if need be will kick the door thru, but mostly a quiet man who likes talking to players individually to see what makes them 'tick'
When he speaks people listen!
well done peter!!
Quote from: orangeman on September 07, 2007, 10:17:54 AM
, it looks like Mc Geeney is set to spit the dummy out of the pram -
I don't know how you figure this out!
Quote from: laughinpaddy on September 07, 2007, 04:50:47 PM
Quote from: illdecide on September 07, 2007, 01:43:31 PM
Does peter McDonnell know the road to Lurgan? if so tell him not to bother as all the good players from there have retired :D :D
On a serious note i know nothing about that man, don't even know what he looks like. what type of guy is he?? Is he the "kick the door thru" guy or a quiet talk??
He's the type of manager who if need be will kick the door thru, but mostly a quiet man who likes talking to players individually to see what makes them 'tick'
When he speaks people listen!
If memory serves me well Cross played Mullaghbawn in a championship game at the bridge some years ago, at half time a couple of us were standing almost behind the bottom goal and we could hear him in the changing room!
Nothing wrong with shouting in the changing room ! It's an age old tactic in Armagh along with firing things.
NOthing wrong with it at all, just making the point he's got no trouble letting rip.
Quote from: pintsofguinness on September 07, 2007, 09:24:18 PM
Quote from: laughinpaddy on September 07, 2007, 04:50:47 PM
Quote from: illdecide on September 07, 2007, 01:43:31 PM
Does peter McDonnell know the road to Lurgan? if so tell him not to bother as all the good players from there have retired :D :D
On a serious note i know nothing about that man, don't even know what he looks like. what type of guy is he?? Is he the "kick the door thru" guy or a quiet talk??
He's the type of manager who if need be will kick the door thru, but mostly a quiet man who likes talking to players individually to see what makes them 'tick'
When he speaks people listen!
Pints just sorry just seen the anouncement . Whats the view in the orchard ? Saw the Armagh u21 in the all Ireland semi had about 5/6 grood players .Will the county get behind him .
If memory serves me well Cross played Mullaghbawn in a championship game at the bridge some years ago, at half time a couple of us were standing almost behind the bottom goal and we could hear him in the changing room!
i hear this new boyo has got them trainin already, n hes called chris lawn in for coach
Quote from: the procastenator on September 08, 2007, 05:41:30 PM
i hear this new boyo has got them trainin already, n hes called chris lawn in for coach
Lawn was always big and slow, but I don't know how many players he could carry to the games. Surely Quinn's coaches would be a better option!
I heard that Big Joe informed the County Board that if Grimely got the job he would instruct Hughie Morgan to pull his sponsorship.
Nice, if true.
It appears that he mightn't have gone away you know. :o
I heard something along those lines as well
I thought Morgan was pulling out his sponsorship anyway.
I heard (rumours are flying) that Pearse Ogs players wont play for county, that if Grimley had got the job there were two sponsors from armagh going to throw money in?
You wouldnt know what to believe.
Pints -I'd say that was shite talk - players will play for whoever in most circumstances - it's not Mc Donnell's fault - he is the innocent party here -
You're doing your best I see !!!!!!! LOL
Heard over the weekend that he was bringing in Denis Hollywood and Martin McQuillan as his bakroom staff. Has anyone else heard anything??
nothing to do with the thread, thought i would take the opportunity to let us no that if anyones interested poker classic (texas) in the harps club armagh on friday night, 8 30pm start, £20 in, proceeds in aid of mencap, member of the harps running the New York marathon in november, all support greatly welcomed, see www.justgiving.com/paulhagan if anyone would like to contribute.
Thanks Topgun
Quote from: drici on September 10, 2007, 11:12:56 AM
Dennis Hollywood will be good in the event of any Championship games against Fermanagh.
Right enough. Where was he in 04 when we needed him. :o
I never played against him in gaelic football but i did play against him and marked him in the aul sawker and always kept him quiet but he was scary, you couldnt let him out of your sight for a second and I always had plenty of help should the need arise.
Any truth in that now Joe is no longer milking the gravy-train, Morgan's diesel will be 5p a litre cheaper??? If so, it's good news for everyone, Armagh people included.
Hughie will put the diesel up 5p if anything until he pays off that slip road he invested in building along with the Carrickdale to stop them losing trade due to the opening of the new road! :D
The laugh is Morgan is no cheaper at his yard than most of the other stations who have to build a shop & forecourt etc.
QuoteThe laugh is Morgan is no cheaper at his yard than most of the other stations who have to build a shop & forecourt etc.
But you are contributing to Armagh football, and if Armagh hadn't won an AI Tyrone wouldn't have either and Kerry would have reached the mythical 5 in a row.
Mr McDonnell is a total gentelman and will do a great job for Armagh football. hes all ways been the same. A football man and a teecher thru an thru. i heard that Morgan wanted Grimley an that might be rite but now they decided we shoud move on and get behind Mr MCDonnell. The mane thing is getting sam back to are orchard County !! I think Mr McDonnel can do it if the players are behind him.
No offence, but I hope you weren't one of his pupils. If so, not such a great teecher then
QuoteBut you are contributing to Armagh football
I'd say the biggest part of any contribution went stright into Joe's oh-so-deep pockets
Quote from: BroJolly on September 12, 2007, 09:29:34 PM
No offence, but I hope you weren't one of his pupils. If so, not such a great teecher then
haha nice one Bro!
I take it A4Sam that you went to Mullabawn PS and then on to St Paul's in Bessbrook!!!!! ;)
he certainly wants that assumption to be made
Quote from: Uladh on September 13, 2007, 08:20:23 PM
he certainly wants that assumption to be made
He's not really from Armagh at all. Nobody from South Armagh would behave like him. He's a Tyrone man trying to run Armagh people down by acting the w*nker. He even went so far as to go to school in South Armagh in order to maintain the deception. :-\