Kieran McGeeney Takes Aim At Derry Boss Meenagh After Armagh Victory

Kieran McGeeney hit back at comments from Derry boss Ciarán Meenagh after Armagh’s 1-18 to 1-13 win in the Athletic Grounds, insisting some people are “good at pointing the finger” following another controversial weekend of championship officiating.

The Ulster champions opened their All-Ireland campaign with a five-point victory on Saturday night, with Tiernan Kelly’s brilliant first-half goal helping lay the platform for the win.

Conor Turbitt struck 0-4 for Armagh, while Oisín Conaty was quieter than usual but still chipped in with 0-3. Derry, meanwhile, were left to rue a series of missed chances, with their wides tally proving hugely costly despite scores from Lachlan Murray (1-2), Ethan Doherty (0-2) and Conor Doherty (0-3).

However, much of the post-match discussion centred around a contentious second-half incident involving Derry’s Padraig McGrogan.

Meenagh appeared frustrated by the officiating afterwards, suggesting Armagh may have received favourable treatment because of their sideline reaction.

The less I say about that the better.

At the end of the day, he wasn't over the line, he caught the ball, but sometimes the more shouting that is done at officials, it seems to be that...

All I know is that if I shouted with that ferocity, I don't know if we would have got the call, put it that way.

Ciarán Meenagh also added:

I think if the shoe was on the other foot, and I had went with that level of ferocity, I think it would have been a free in front of the goals.

The comments were put to Kieran McGeeney afterwards by Colm Parkinson of Smaller Fish, with the Armagh manager offering a pointed response.

I suppose what other people are good at is pointing the finger.

If that's their style, fair play.

Despite Derry registering more shots across the evening, Armagh always looked the more composed side and largely kept their opponents at arm’s length throughout the evening.

The victory continues the momentum generated by their Ulster title triumph, while Derry now know that another defeat will spell the end of their season.