Armagh minor manager Aidan O'Rourke talks to his players before the All-Ireland semi-final win over Mayo. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
“My initial thought process was to help in some shape or form, for younger players coming through, it is as simple as that,” Paul McGrane, the totemic former Armagh midfielder, explains about helping to set-up an Academy system in the county a dozen years ago.
McGrane’s senior inter-county career wasn’t long over at that stage, but he was ready, willing, and able to help.
Now, in these particularly exciting times with an Electric Ireland MFC Final and an All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final edging closer, the hard work carried out throughout the past decade matters deeply.
With matches arriving thick and fast, there is real cause for optimism in Armagh, but the Academy has been important. “There have been different goals, it was relaunched again in 2019, Aidan O'Rourke and Dennis Hollywood were the big drivers,” McGrane says.
“Then Covid kicked in the following year after that. Ultimately, it isn't a thing in isolation, there has been great work done in clubs over the last number of years, and there has been great work done in schools.
“The U17s are the first batch that have come through once it got going after Covid. So, their run has given the whole thing a great lift. It is a great example and inspiration to the younger players in the county. That coupled with how the seniors have been consistent over the past number of years at the top table.”
Sporting potential exists everywhere, but McGrane wanted to afford footballers opportunities to develop. “Armagh is a small county, it is about giving players with the correct desire, hunger, attitude, and determination - giving them the opportunities to push on,” McGrane says.
“That is working in partnership with the clubs and schools, everybody working together. There is a real positive energy at the minute, especially with the excitement at the weekend and next weekend too.”
A collaborative approach has been adopted with McGrane highlighting Armagh GAA’s intent on building modern training facilities, while the links between clubs and schools is helping footballers flourish at various levels. “There is a big drive at the minute with the development of training facilities,” McGrane says.
“Callanbridge, years and years ago, it was a great facility to have, but ultimately it has moved on now. You have more teams. The project at St Malachy's in Portadown, to have a centre with a number of pitches, the neighbouring counties in Ulster have them. That would be a massive thing to do.
Former Armagh captain Paul McGrane. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
“I know the County Board are putting in a massive effort to drive that, for people to realise the importance with it.
“Really, it is all about working in partnership, it is a small county, we want to maximise what we have and to push on. That is basically it, on the pitch and off the pitch. So, a lot of credit must go to the County Board for their drive with that.”
The development will boost Armagh GAA and the sense of community according to McGrane. “It makes a massive difference for underage squads, if they are training, if the pitch beside them has seniors there, it really makes that connection,” he adds.
“They'd be training on pitches beside their heroes. You can physically see the pathway then for fellas that want to push on. That isn't a straight line journey. It helps so it does in that pathway.”
So, too does the exposure to important matches. Armagh seniors, managed by McGrane’s colleague Kieran McGeeney, are back on the grand stage once more, busy preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry. “Kieran deserves immense credit in respect of bringing the seniors and the management team with him, bringing the seniors to where they are now,” McGrane says.
“That has been a continuous journey of improvement. They deserve great credit for that. Ultimately, they are the shop window for the younger ones within the county. It is that combined approach. Things just don't happen.
“You have to strive to make things happen on the pitch and off the pitch, from a facilities point of view and from a playing point of view.
“You can see that in the way clubs have acted, the way they have developed their facilities and how the strides have happened.
“The coaching going on in clubs in the same period means the bar is raising. It is a case of being continually at it, when an opportunity comes along that we make the most of it.”
Reaching Sunday’s All-Ireland minor decider against Derry is another illustrates what can be achieved. “It helps younger fellas,” McGrane remarks.
Kieran McGeeney addresses the Armagh players following Saturday's All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Final win over Roscommon at Croke Park. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
“They can reach and see. Those minors were involved three or four years previously as people that are part of the Academy. It is just that continuous thing.
“Irrespective of what happens over the next fortnight, it is just a case of keeping going with it. There is great work being done by the coaches on a Saturday morning at the various age groups.
“They are putting in their time and put great effort and energy into it to push the county on. It is just a case of keeping at it and pushing on. It would be a great lift for the minors to get over the line and for the seniors to push on.”
During the past 12 years McGrane acknowledges the contributions made by so many to Armagh GAA. “We are blessed to have local sponsors, originally we had Simply Fruit with Patrick McCann, he progressed to the senior sponsorship,” McGrane says.
“Then we had Aidan Strain Electrical, again great Armagh folk, who want to see us pushing on. There is this whole thing because we are a small county, we are trying to maximise what is coming through.
“Therefore, you need this conveyor belt, that working relationship between the clubs and schools. Players are coming through, you're giving them the tools to self improve as best they can. Hopefully people will come through, it just doesn't happen.”
Remembering your roots counts for McGrane, who enjoyed being part of Armagh’s greatest days. “I was very fortunate to be part of special times with Armagh in a playing capacity,” he says.
“One of the coaches that got involved this year is Martin Toye, his premise was just to give something back. It is as simple as that.
“He had played for the county for numerous years, it was a timing thing. He gave a lifetime of service to Armagh, he is at a point of his life when he can give stuff back, he is glad to do it, as are the other coaches, which is massive.”
Armagh’s past, present, and future combined.
