Updated 21.30
KIERAN MCGEENEY HAS been ratified as the new Armagh manager.
The Orchard legend was unanimously ratified for a five-year term at a meeting of the Armagh county board.
The 2002 All-Ireland winning captain fills the role vacated by Paul Grimley, who stepped down after their recent All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Donegal.
“The county board would like to express our best wishes to Kieran, his backroom team and to our senior team as they continue to build on their recent progress,” a statement reads.
“The county board hope that under Kieran McGeeney’s leadership this promising team can achieve the success yearned for by the county and its loyal supporters.”
McGeeney, who was in charge of Kildare from 2008 to 2013, came on board with Grimley in a coaching capacity this year and his involvement coincided with a major upturn in Armagh’s fortunes.
Grimley heaped praise upon McGeeney after the loss to Donegal as he advocated him as an ideal candidate for the position.
“There’s no better man to lead Armagh forward than Kieran McGeeney, whether that is the case or not is irrelevant at the moment,” said Grimley at the time.
McGeeney’s playing career saw him collect six Ulster senior medals with Armagh, win a National football league medal and lead his county to their greatest moment when they defeated Kerry in the 2002 All-Ireland final. He also won three Allstar awards in 1999, 2000 and 2002.
Armagh’s 2014 championship campaign saw them defeat Cavan in the Ulster quarter-final before losing the semi-final after a replay against Monaghan. In the qualifiers Armagh claimed victories over Tyrone, Roscommon and Meath before falling short against Donegal.
