Kieran McGeeney, the longest-serving manager in the inter-county game, is facing a crucial vote tonight to see whether or not he will be granted a 10th year in charge of the Armagh footballers.
Club delegates will meet at the Athletic Grounds to register their vote and RTÉ Sport understands that a number of clubs, but still likely to be in the minority, are set to oppose the extension with opinions differing massively in the Orchard County.
Ratifications in Armagh are generally serene affairs but delegates are gearing up for what could be a heated night, with the voting intentions of Armagh officials set to also play a crucial part. It is understood that McGeeney retains the support of the Armagh management committee who are expected to unanimously recommend his retention to delegates.
A number of players, including Aidan Forker, Ethan Rafferty and Aaron McKay, have publicly offered their support to McGeeney and it's understood that privately the players as a group have done likewise, with suggestions that a strong addition to the coaching ticket would be welcomed.
Some clubs, however, are set to oppose the extension.
They argue that nine years without an Ulster or All-Ireland title means it’s time for a change while McGeeney had to constantly absorb criticism about Armagh’s style of play this season, with their, at times, slow transition play coming under fire.
Other club delegates will be voting in favour though, indicating that McGeeney took a side from Division 3 in 2015 up to the top flight for the last three seasons, although they were narrowly relegated in March.
Armagh have faced Division 1 teams 22 times in league and championship over the last two seasons and have only lost by more than three points once – to Donegal in the 2022 Ulster championship.
Their championship seasons over those two years have also been ended by penalty shoot-out losses in back-to-back All-Ireland quarter-finals, while they also missed out on an Ulster title in a similar manner against Derry in May.
Another factor at play is the lack of viable candidates should McGeeney be forced out with Armagh’s other two current inter-county managers committed to projects elsewhere. Tony McEntee has signed up to continue with Sligo for the 2024 season while Oisín McConville is set to remain with Wicklow.
Clubs, with some still to decide, adopted a number of methods to get a consensus ahead of the vote. Some asked club members to respond, others decided through their executive committees while others canvassed their county contingents.
McGeeney came in as Armagh head coach in 2014 under Paul Grimley and appointed manager the following season. He became the longest serving manager in the game after Colm Collins brought his 10-year Clare reign to an end after their 2023 championship exit.
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