New Armagh manager

[falveyb2k]

gaaboard.com/board/index.php?PHPSESSID=24ac0dea0ac1eefc478922fae4373c7f&topic=4636.0

Well Bigmac what do you make of this?

[BIGMAC]

should be a good choice.a new broom to sweep clean

[Piggy]

it will be hard to fill joe kernans boots,one of the best managers in the past 20 years

[BIGMAC]

i dont think u'll find many that will disagree with that piggy

[austinstacksabu]

Is he really the best choice though Bigmac? And since he's already heavily involved with the county board, will he be given the chance to do a full sweep out and start afresh?

[BIGMAC]

well apparently the vote was cancelled as paul grimley was looking like he'd get the vote so it looks like out with the old and in with the new bus as usual time will tell

[BIGMAC]

Peter McDonnell chosen to manage Armagh



Peter McDonnell - handed the Armagh reins
Mullaghbawn man Peter McDonnell was named as the successor to Joe Kernan last night after beating off competition from another former Rangers boss, Michael McConville and Kernan's former assistant with the county, Paul Grimley. McDonnell was the Mullaghbawn manager in 1995 when the club won the Armagh Championship, beating Crossmaglen before Rangers embarked on their 11-year unbeaten run. He also guided the club to the Ulster club title the same year and achieved more provincial success in 2000 with Errigal Ciaran in Tyrone.

McDonnell has managed the Armagh U21s for the last two seasons, winning the Ulster title this year. Many of his charges at the underage grade have made it into the senior ranks in 2007 with Kieran Toner, James Lavery, Charlie Vernon and Tony McClelland. Kevin Dyas has also been part of McDonnell's U21 set-up, but with the Dromintee man on a trial with AFL side Collingwood, the new Armagh boss may have a fight on his hands to secure the future of one of the county's rising stars.

McDonnell's appointment will go down well with the younger members of the current Armagh panel. Senior stars were understood to have favoured Grimley who was Joe Kernan's right hand man, when the Orchard county won its first All-Ireland title in 2002. Whether McDonnell's Mullaghbawn club-mate Kieran McGeeney plays on remains to be seen - rumours were also circulating prior to last night's decision that the All-Ireland winning captain might take up a coaching role with the county side. - The Irish News

[BIGMAC]

from the bbc

Peter McDonnell has been appointed to succeed Joe Kernan as Armagh county football manager.
On Wednesday night, the Armagh county board opted for McDonnell ahead of Paul Grimley and Michael McConville.

McDonnell guided Mullaghbawn to the Ulster Club title in 1995 and also achieved another provincial success with Errigal Ciaran five years later.

He then had stints with Burren and Armagh Harps before guiding Armagh U21s to this year's Ulster title.

McDonnell has a big act to follow after Kernan's historic successes with the county over the past six years.

Kernan guided Armagh to their historic All-Ireland triumph in 2002 as well as four provincial titles - including a three-in-a-row from 2004 to 2006.

Grimley was part of the Armagh backroom team for all those successes before he left Joe Kernan's backroom team 13 months ago.

Last month, Grimley resigned as assistant manager of Cavan in order to concentrate on his attempt to secure the Armagh post and he is likely to be hugely disappointed at being overlooked for the role.

There has been speculation that a number of prominent Armagh players were keen that Grimley would get the job.

McDonnell will inherit a talented squad but his first task may be to ascertain whether several experienced players wish to prolong their intercounty careers.

These include the likes of Kieran McGeeney, Oisin McConville, Paul McGrane and Enda McNulty