skip to main content

McGeeney to make first start of campaign

Kieran McGeeney will start at centre-back for Armagh at Croke Park
Kieran McGeeney will start at centre-back for Armagh at Croke Park

Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney will make his first start of the 2004 Championship in Sunday's Ulster final against Donegal at Croke Park.

McGeeney had been plagued by a groin injury for several months but has been passed fit to play in the half-back line in the provincial decider.

Diarmuid Marsden, a frontline replacement in the semi-final against Cavan, also gets a starting role.

The major omission is left half-back the unfortunate Andrew McCann. He was injured in the Cavan match and manager Joe Kernan appears to have opted not to risk the consistent defender.

Philip Loughran is back in a midifled role after missing the semi-final because of an ankle injury picked up in training with John Toal missing out.

McGeeney returns to his centre-back role with Aidan O'Rourke pushed out to the left and Kieran Hughes on the right.  Andy Mallon, who was carrying an injury, was given the all-clear to start at corner-back.

Armagh (SF v Donegal): P Hearty; E McNulty, F Bellew, A Mallon; K Hughes, K McGeeney, A O'Rourke; P Loughran, P McGrane; P McKeever, T McEntee, O McConville; S McDonnell, R Clarke, D Marsden.

Filed by Aidan O'Doherty

Read Next