Pictured is Allianz ambassador and former Armagh Gaelic Footballer, Steven McDonnell ahead of this weekend’s GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final between Armagh and Galway. Now in their second summer as sponsor of the competition, this season Allianz has been campaigning for children and young people to #StopTheDrop and remain involved in sport when transitioning from primary to secondary school. For more information visit https://www.allianz.ie/stopthedrop
By Cian O’Connell
Kieran McGeeney’s drive and desire for Armagh football endures. As a former playing colleague, Steven McDonnell knows the time and energy McGeeney has invested in improving Armagh at every level.
So, reaching the 2024 All-Ireland SFC Final against Galway merely showcases McGeeney’s commitment to the cause. As a manager it has been a decade of sheer hard work.
“It is no surprise, that is just the type of character and man Kieran is,” McDonnell says. “He was never there for the short term.
“Yes, it took a bit longer than expected, but he has got himself into a position where he has the team where he wants them to be, competing for major honours.
“Yes, there has been a lot of good work done in the last 10 years. That wouldn't have been possible without the effort and commitment from Kieran.”
Some of McDonnell’s other ex Armagh team mates have occupied a central role in the renaissance too. “Paul McGrane took it upon himself, and Aidan O'Rourke was heavily involved at the time with development squads in Armagh,” McDonnell says.
“They put good people around them development squads, to try to engrain an Armagh way amongst the teams, to get them playing football to the standard that is required. We are getting the rewards from those years of hard work now.
“Our minors, obviously, getting to an All-Ireland final, coached and managed by Aidan O'Rourke. We were very unlucky not to win that. With the seniors being there, definitely it gives things a real uplift too.”
Several of Armagh’s 2002 All-Ireland winning outfit have graduated to make a coaching impact in the club and inter-county ranks. “You look around the country, Oisín (McConville) is with Wicklow, and has done really well with Wicklow for the last couple of seasons.
“Tony McEntee, over in Sligo, too. Aidan being back with our minors, he was with Geezer in Kildare, he was up in Donegal. When Donegal were knocked out last year, I was in Donegal, and met their players, they had nothing, but great words to say about Aidan.
“A lot of those guys have kicked on, going down the route of coaching and managing. There was no shock back then because we had an unbelievable amount of leaders within the camp, who were always going to stay involved and get involved in the coaching and management side of things at some level.”
Ultimately, reaching an All-Ireland final ensures there is hype in Armagh. “There is a lot of excitement, absolutely,” McDonnell says.
“The place has really exploded to life in the last two weeks, and it is fantastic to see, more so for the younger generation of kids, who missed out 20 years ago. It is fantastic to see that. It is absolutely manic, so it is, but it is an enjoyable place to be.”
