Armagh coach, and former county captain Ciaran McKeever is heading for his third season involved in Kieran McGeeney’s management team and has enjoyed the journey so far.
McKeever, who retired from inter-county action following the 2017 season, traded the boots for the coaching whistle almost immediately.
He managed the Armagh minors in 2019 and 2020, along with Down club Mayobridge before taking the plunge into inter-county coaching in 2020.
“It takes a lot of time up, but obviously, it is something you are invested in and it’s something, from retirement, that you always want to go into coaching,” said the Cullyhanna native.
“Coaching at this level, it’s enjoyable and the squad we have currently in Armagh are brilliant to work with and hopefully we can all drive on together and take that next step.”
When McKeever was first coming onto the scene as a player, Kieran McGeeney was at the tail end of his career, and McKeever was a natural successor to the 2002 All-Ireland winning captains number six jersey.
The pair did get to share the changing room for a couple of years before ‘Geezer’ hung up the boots. The two former Armagh skippers are cut from the same cloth, which can lead to the odd disagreement during team meetings admits McKeever.
“There does be the odd silent meeting when we all fall out,” joked the three-time Ulster champion. “The two of us would have a strong opinion on different things and the same with Kieran Donaghy, Dennis (Hollywood) and Ciaran McKinney.
“We all bounce off each other really well and there are some meetings that get hot and heavy but sure that is part and parcel of management. It is enjoyable and it’s something that I enjoy doing and I’m always trying strive to get better and picking up nuggets along the way and we are looking forward to getting stuck back into it in January.”
Armagh will take on Antrim and Cavan in the group stages of the McKenna Cup, as they continue their preparations for another season at the topflight of the National League.
The Orchard County begin their Division One campaign with a tough away test against Monaghan at the end of January, and will also face Mayo, Roscommon, Kerry, Donegal, Galway and finally Tyrone.
“Every game you go out to play, you want to win but when you put the whole thing into context, what we do on Wednesday January 4 (against Antrim), will matter nothing, we will be judged on Saturday January 29 in Castleblayney.
“That is what we will be looking towards in the Dr McKenna Cup. Yes, we will be taking it seriously, but we will be concentrating on getting ready for Division One.”
