Big Joe's Staying

[BIGMAC]

Joe Kernan is to continue as Armagh football boss for another year and is bringing former county player John Rafferty on board as a selector.

Rafferty, who guided Antrim champions St. Gall’s to an All-Ireland club final appearance last March, will replace John Grimley who stepped down in the wake of the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry. Grimley has since been linked with the vacant manager’s position in Cavan.

Grimley’s departure led to speculation that Kernan might also quit, but he has confirmed that he is giving it one more year and so is team trainer John McCloskey.

Rafferty was part of the Armagh side that made a major breakthrough by winning the Ulster championship in 1999. His achievements with St. Gall’s saw his name linked with a number of managerial positions in recent months, but he will be spending the next year working with his native county. There you have it folks in black & white!

[inforthebreaks]

you must be well happy with that BigMac.

[kerrygold]

would you see this as the last throw of the dice bigmac by big joe?,do you think he will hold onto all the older players or clear the decks with the furture in mind or mix both and have a stab at it next year.

[BIGMAC]

i think it goes without saying that this is joe's last year but the thing is he's bringing rafferty in and this will be a good move 1st'ly new blood and secondly the moulding of a new boss for the following year.joe cursed himself when he said good teams win an all ireland and gr8 teams win 2 and i think he'd like 1 more lash at it.the mans a legend in armagh folklore(not that he was'nt allready) and i think this armagh team deserve another title allthough they must earn it but over the past few years they have been 1 of the most consistant sides around and maybe joe thinks with the more open football they're playing they have a chance next year.......i feckin hope so ;D

[Dermot]

Well BM - Do you think the aul heads on the pitch give it one more lash too ?

BTW - Any more word on the bould Francie ?


p.s - big Joe will be a hard man to replace !

[BIGMAC]

HAVE'NT HEARD BOUT THE LEGEND THAT FRANCIE YET BUT I STILL THINK WE'LL SEE SOME OF THE OLDER 1'S GOIN

[Mickmack]

I dont like saying this but Armagh may go into decline like Meath and Galway.................

[kerryman]

Have ye many fellahs knockin' on the door of the senior team, particularly this years under 21s? Are they any good?

[champer]

I think Armagh are playing the most attractive football of all teams at the moment. They are far better than Kerry at the long fast diagonal ball in and have 2 of the top 5 finishers in the game in Clarke and McDonnell.
They really need to freshen up Midfield and the Half forward line though.

[BIGMAC]

i think when u take gezzer and mcgrane out of the mix the average of the team is 23,hardly over the hill.there's plenty of lads coming through and chompin at the bit to get their chance.i dont think that joe would have stayed if he did'nt see the potential of the up and coming players

[butchy]

BIGMAC i think you can rest assure Armagh are here to stay for a good few years.