Kieran McGeeney's Armagh side produced a devastating first-half performance to end Cavan's promotion hopes at the Athletic Ground.
Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney is happy with his team going into the Division Two final against Donegal two weeks before the Ulster SFC opener, despite having already secured promotion.
He started modern football's solid defense as a helper in the league finals, which some saw as unnecessary in the congested inter-county schedule.
“If you have a chance to promote our sport, you should do it,” McGeeney said.
“I think we spend all our time in the GAA complaining and no matter what we do, it’s always wrong.
“In all other sports, the league is the destination. We should play games home and away.” [in the Allianz League].
Peter McGrane scores Armagh's first goal at the Athletic Ground.
“Despite what people say, this sport is getting bigger. More and more people are watching this sport. More and more points are being scored, but unfortunately former players We all think there's no one better than us.”
“In general, if you look at the scorelines over the last few years, especially in Division 1, most teams are hitting 19 or 20.
“I don’t think we’ve ever done that in our time…I mean, we’ve never done it.
“So if we have an opportunity to display something like that…I know it's hard to push, but if we have an opportunity to promote our sport, I think we should do it.”
“It's interesting to hear from former players.”
Despite being regarded as one of the most dedicated players of his era, the 2002 All-Ireland-winning Armagh captain is unsure whether he has what it takes to play the modern game. He said he couldn't have it.
“It's faster, it's faster. It's a much better game, it's smarter. Is it fit to play or not?
“That's interesting to hear. [former] Players in a WhatsApp group are talking about saving football. They need to look at their game. How they were themselves when they were there.
“If they want to save football, maybe they shouldn't have played. That's the kind of rhetoric we're putting out there. I don't think so. I really don't think so.”
“I think Gaelic football is a great sport, it's just that it's poorly promoted.”
Saturday's victory meant that against a Cavan side who still had promotion ambitions going into the game, the Orchard side were helped by a goal from corner-back Peter McGrane and a penalty from Conor Turbitt, with the Orchard side scoring 2 at half-time. They led by -12 to 0-4.
The Rebels may have needed something from this game as they battle against relegation, but this win seals their promotion with a game remaining. Armagh face a tough situation in their next match at Cork.
image source, Getty Images
Armagh drew with Donegal last month and will meet again in the Division 2 final in two weeks' time.
Immediately after Saturday's win, McGeeney suggested it was unlikely there would be any major changes to next weekend's game.
“I don't think it's going to work out that way. We've done the same thing in other divisions. We have to go for the win. Cork are a good team but we saw it today against Louth.” [who beat Fermanagh 6-17 to 0-11].
“Lous have been losing games at the bottom and have been missing out on goals, but today they got a goal.”
And regarding the Division 2 final on March 31st, McGeeney said, “No team is going to play to lose.
“Definitely not, Donegal will definitely want to beat us and we will want to win.
Will we be eliminated from the championship in two weeks? [against Fermanagh at Brewster Park].
“Training camp and all that kind of stuff that you're trying to adapt to. It's pretty difficult, but if you had asked me at the beginning of the year if I liked that difficult situation, I would have accepted it.”
