McKenna Cup 2026

[illdecide]

Actully forgot about B Hughes, and yes he was good and I'd play him in goals too.

[illdecide]

Never checked thon Armagh team before buying a ticket and travelling to the game, TBF once i was there it wasn't too bad. Very inexperienced team and i'm pretty sure Down would have been the same. Armagh's best players were their seasoned players, Joe McIlroy, Cian McConville and T Kelly (O'Neill was decent too and has lost some timber). The younger ones carry the ball into the tackle or bouncing the ball in bad conditions but they'll soon learn. As for ones for the future it's hard to say from my two McKenna cup games and I'm sure KMcG will know better having seen them during training, I know a few that won't make it but ain't gonna mention names as that wouldn't be nice.

Bit soon to say that tbf, look at the likes of McGrane/Conaty/McMullen, never remember them pulling up many trees at underage, but the management team has helped make them very good players and in Conaty's case one of the best forwards in Ireland.

Fair enough point and maybe a bit harsh. Would love to see 5-6 new faces like Conaty coming in, it's what we need.

[Armagh18]

Did Callum O'Neill (Clans) get any gametime?

[statto]

Did Callum O'Neill (Clans) get any gametime?

He get a brief cameo maybe 5 minutes at end. 

[naka]

Never checked thon Armagh team before buying a ticket and travelling to the game, TBF once i was there it wasn't too bad. Very inexperienced team and i'm pretty sure Down would have been the same. Armagh's best players were their seasoned players, Joe McIlroy, Cian McConville and T Kelly (O'Neill was decent too and has lost some timber). The younger ones carry the ball into the tackle or bouncing the ball in bad conditions but they'll soon learn. As for ones for the future it's hard to say from my two McKenna cup games and I'm sure KMcG will know better having seen them during training, I know a few that won't make it but ain't gonna mention names as that wouldn't be nice.

Hughes kickouts were good and I would personally be starting him against Monaghan in the first league game. 

Thought Joe and TK were our best by some distance, McConville was busy but could maybe do with a little more end product.  Thought Daniel Magee also had a decent outing to back up a decent showing against Tyrone.

agree with you in that i though our experienced players stepped up and  clearly showed a higher level
for me, blaine,aaron mc kay, tk, joe and indeed morgan  who like Oisin looks a lot trimmer played very well
Downs reserves looked physically unprepared whilst Armaghs were guilty of trying to much on their own . Can see Magee getting a start in the league  and wouldnt be surprised to see a few appearances from James Morgan.

[lurganblue]

Never checked thon Armagh team before buying a ticket and travelling to the game, TBF once i was there it wasn't too bad. Very inexperienced team and i'm pretty sure Down would have been the same. Armagh's best players were their seasoned players, Joe McIlroy, Cian McConville and T Kelly (O'Neill was decent too and has lost some timber). The younger ones carry the ball into the tackle or bouncing the ball in bad conditions but they'll soon learn. As for ones for the future it's hard to say from my two McKenna cup games and I'm sure KMcG will know better having seen them during training, I know a few that won't make it but ain't gonna mention names as that wouldn't be nice.

Hughes kickouts were good and I would personally be starting him against Monaghan in the first league game. 

Thought Joe and TK were our best by some distance, McConville was busy but could maybe do with a little more end product.  Thought Daniel Magee also had a decent outing to back up a decent showing against Tyrone.

agree with you in that i though our experienced players stepped up and  clearly showed a higher level
for me, blaine,aaron mc kay, tk, joe and indeed morgan  who like Oisin looks a lot trimmer played very well
Downs reserves looked physically unprepared whilst Armaghs were guilty of trying to much on their own . Can see Magee getting a start in the league  and wouldnt be surprised to see a few appearances from James Morgan.

I'd agree.  I think he has been impressive.  If youd have asked me a few weeks ago, I'd have said McCarthy was ahead of him but there you go.

[bennydorano]

Think Morgan's race has been run, he's coming back from a torrid time with injuries etc.. but age isn't on his side either.

[Armagh18]

Think Morgan's race has been run, he's coming back from a torrid time with injuries etc.. but age isn't on his side either.

Missed a lot of football, was good in was it 2022 in Croker vs Galway, but I suppose that's 4 years ago now. Never hurts to have an experienced head around though and if he's playing well enough and earns a place then fair play.

[David McKeown]

Are there two Callum O'Neills or was I not following things well

[bennydorano]

There are indeed, MF and a flying machine HB / HF type.

Tomas McCormack got a bit of gametime last night, what's the story with him lately? I thought he was going to be our next big breakthrough.

[Armagh18]

Are there two Callum O'Neills or was I not following things well

Yeah one from Belleek, first cousin of the Cross boys, midfielder, would be around 27 but only really broke through last year. Other fella is from Clann Na Gael, would be around 20? Does half forward for them I think.

[Armagh18]

There are indeed, MF and a flying machine HB / HF type.

Tomas McCormack got a bit of gametime last night, what's the story with him lately? I thought he was going to be our next big breakthrough.

Thought he'd a brilliant league last year, was good against Antrim and done rightly on one of the Canavans last year in Ulster but never really got a look in after that.

[statto]

Never checked thon Armagh team before buying a ticket and travelling to the game, TBF once i was there it wasn't too bad. Very inexperienced team and i'm pretty sure Down would have been the same. Armagh's best players were their seasoned players, Joe McIlroy, Cian McConville and T Kelly (O'Neill was decent too and has lost some timber). The younger ones carry the ball into the tackle or bouncing the ball in bad conditions but they'll soon learn. As for ones for the future it's hard to say from my two McKenna cup games and I'm sure KMcG will know better having seen them during training, I know a few that won't make it but ain't gonna mention names as that wouldn't be nice.

Hughes kickouts were good and I would personally be starting him against Monaghan in the first league game. 

Thought Joe and TK were our best by some distance, McConville was busy but could maybe do with a little more end product.  Thought Daniel Magee also had a decent outing to back up a decent showing against Tyrone.

agree with you in that i though our experienced players stepped up and  clearly showed a higher level
for me, blaine,aaron mc kay, tk, joe and indeed morgan  who like Oisin looks a lot trimmer played very well
Downs reserves looked physically unprepared whilst Armaghs were guilty of trying to much on their own . Can see Magee getting a start in the league  and wouldnt be surprised to see a few appearances from James Morgan.

I'd agree.  I think he has been impressive.  If youd have asked me a few weeks ago, I'd have said McCarthy was ahead of him but there you go.

McCarthy only coming back from a long term injury, was surprised that he started Tyrone game must have been impressing in training. 

[statto]

There are indeed, MF and a flying machine HB / HF type.

Tomas McCormack got a bit of gametime last night, what's the story with him lately? I thought he was going to be our next big breakthrough.

Would hope McCormack gets the start in the first league game as corner back. (we aren't coming down with options there at moment.)  Was very unfortunate to lose his place last year was excellent anytime I saw him. He's a good example of a player that hung around the panel along time not getting much meaningful minutes then took his chance when came along. 

[armaghniac]

Think Morgan's race has been run, he's coming back from a torrid time with injuries etc.. but age isn't on his side either.

I think the McKenna cup was his sunset, not the dawn.

Are there two Callum O'Neills or was I not following things well

Yeah one from Belleek, first cousin of the Cross boys, midfielder, would be around 27 but only really broke through last year. Other fella is from Clann Na Gael, would be around 20? Does half forward for them I think.

It would be helpful if these lads had a middle initial or something, to help keep track.