Armagh players vent frustration

The Armagh Senior Football panel have taken the extraordinary step of releasing a statement to express their disappointment at the selection process for a new manager for the county.

Earlier this week the task of naming a new manager took a major back step when the five-man selection committee resigned after becoming frustration with a lack of progress.

The Armagh players believe the lack of support from county executive level was behind the decision.

The now Monaghan assistant Paul Grimley had been put forward for the job and the players identify in their statement that a ‘primary candidate’, thought to be Grimley, has the support of the panel, but outside forces are stopping him being appointed.

The statement said: ‘The clubs via their nominations identified a primary candidate to whom the players remain supportive but due to what we see as personal agendas, and a flawed process, their voices have been overlooked.

‘We also believe that those entrusted with safeguarding this ideal are not acting accordingly and thus no longer retain our confidence.’

Grimley has denied speculation he will take the job if it is offered to him, claiming he will not go back on a decision to take the role with Monaghan.

He said: 'I have given Seamus McEnaney my word and intend to stick by that.'

The players are now calling for a county board meeting to discuss what they call ‘the gravest of situation’ to allow their opinion to be aired.