FRESH FROM CLAIMING the Allianz National Football League Division 3 title with a five point win over Fermanagh on Saturday, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney turned his attention to the Ulster championship, even if the Orchard County’s opening game doesn’t come until 14 June.
And though the 43-year old admits there are a number of changes that could improve the structure of both the Ulster and All-Ireland championships, he also seems resigned to the fact that a radical overhaul of either is unlikely any time soon.
“The championship structure is imbalanced, there’s not much point in saying anything else.
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“If you’ve 11 teams or nine teams in one province, and 5 or 6 in another, it doesn’t really matter what you do. it’s unbalanced. If one province is a hurling province and another is a football province, it’s unbalanced.
“But it is what it is. It’s been that way for 100 years so my opinion isn’t going to have much sway in changing it.
“I think everybody knows the whole thing should be looked at but if you started here on the things that could be changed about our fixtures and our competitions, we’d be here all day.
“It is what it is and it’s the same for everybody so we just have to get on with it.”
The fact Armagh have been playing their football in the third tier of the league does not mean, however, the former Kildare boss believes they can’t challenge for provincial or honours.
“I believe we’re capable of competing for [an Ulster title]. There are so many permutations and parameters that are outside your control, but we’re definitely capable of competing for it.
“You have to be honest about the side of the draw you’re on; we’re playing the winners of Donegal-Tyrone and Donegal are definitely top four and Tyrone are definitely in the top eight. Then you’ve Down and Derry.
“Monaghan did it from Division 3. But I suppose what Mickey [Harte] would say is it’s the norm from the other way around and he’d be right.”
'If we looked at everything that needs changing with the championship we'd be here all day'
FRESH FROM CLAIMING the Allianz National Football League Division 3 title with a five point win over Fermanagh on Saturday, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney turned his attention to the Ulster championship, even if the Orchard County’s opening game doesn’t come until 14 June.
And though the 43-year old admits there are a number of changes that could improve the structure of both the Ulster and All-Ireland championships, he also seems resigned to the fact that a radical overhaul of either is unlikely any time soon.
“The championship structure is imbalanced, there’s not much point in saying anything else.
“If you’ve 11 teams or nine teams in one province, and 5 or 6 in another, it doesn’t really matter what you do. it’s unbalanced. If one province is a hurling province and another is a football province, it’s unbalanced.
“But it is what it is. It’s been that way for 100 years so my opinion isn’t going to have much sway in changing it.
“It is what it is and it’s the same for everybody so we just have to get on with it.”
The fact Armagh have been playing their football in the third tier of the league does not mean, however, the former Kildare boss believes they can’t challenge for provincial or honours.
“I believe we’re capable of competing for [an Ulster title]. There are so many permutations and parameters that are outside your control, but we’re definitely capable of competing for it.
“You have to be honest about the side of the draw you’re on; we’re playing the winners of Donegal-Tyrone and Donegal are definitely top four and Tyrone are definitely in the top eight. Then you’ve Down and Derry.
“Monaghan did it from Division 3. But I suppose what Mickey [Harte] would say is it’s the norm from the other way around and he’d be right.”
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GAA Geezer Kieran McGeeney Revamp Armagh Ulster Championship