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Kieran McGeeney laments Armagh profligacy but hits out at critics after defeat to Tyrone

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney lamented his side's profligacy after a two-point defeat to Tyrone in their second group match of the All-Ireland SFC.

While Rian O'Neill's first-half red card ultimately proved costly, Armagh also spurned a number of goal opportunities in the early stages of the 0-13 to 0-11 defeat at Healy Park and speaking to RTÉ Sport, McGeeney said improvements would have to be made on that front.

"They went at them in the first 15 minutes and created four goals - they still have to put them in the net," he said.

"So I think we did go at them. But we're just missing too much. Our execution has been poor in that regard.

"We're creating chances, we're cutting through teams but we have to be able to finish. That's the big thing."

He also hit out at criticism about the way his team attacks in light of the opportunities created.

"Listening to people sort of say, you're not going forward but yet you're missing four goals and you're not going forward but yet you miss a goal and four points in the first 15 minutes against Westmeath, listen there are pundits out there whose sole job is to create controversy and you just have to take it on the chin and move on because if you don't convert, you can't really say anything."

On the red card for O'Neill, which followed an altercation between him and Tyrone's Cormac Quinn, McGeeney said he did not see the incident but that he was informed that his player's jersey was being pulled forward by his opponent.

"I haven't seen it. I just talked to Rian and he said your man pulled him by the jersey down on top of him and that's all I know about it," he said.

Tyrone's win was their first in Group 2 but they were never quite able to shake off Armagh completely despite their opponents being down to 14 men for a large portion of the game, almost conceding a late goal after goalkeeper Niall Morgan's slip.

"There's a little bit of relief. We probably made hard work of it in the second half and should have made it more comfortable," said joint-manager Brian Dooher.

"But you have to give credit to Armagh. They really dug deep and came at us in the second half and pegged us well back.

"As you saw in the last minute, we could have conceded a last-minute goal again but thankfully we didn't this time."

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