Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney praises the team's young guns after his side earns Division 2 promotion at the first time of trying

Armagh earned promotion from Division 2 on Saturday evening with an impressive 15-point win over Cavan at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.

Following the win, Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney praised his team, saying that they have done everything the management team has asked for, and the young players on the team are making their mark.

The last time Armagh plied their trade in Division 2, it took them three goes at it before they earned promotion, so to do it in one go this time around is a clear indication to McGeeney of the progress his side has made.

“That's us up, so it's a good day. The boys played well today, so we're extremely happy. It's nice to be able to get back up there (to Division 1),” he said.

“They have played well to date, but that's the thing about sports: you're always judged on your next one.

“To date, they have done all that they have been asked for. We were in Division 2 three or four years ago, and we struggled in every game, or we scraped by them.

“We seem to have done much better this time around. We have greater depth and a lot of younger players coming through.

“We have two more games now, so we'll see how we get on in them.”

One of the young players who have impressed this year is Peter McGrane, and the Ballyhegan club man scored his first ever goal at inter-county level in style on Saturday, as he received an over-the-top through ball from Connaire Mackin, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted coolly into the net.

“Peter [McGrane] and Oisin [Conaty] were superb today,” said McGeeney.

“Both of them are very quick and that's a big 'keeper [Gary O'Rourke], there are very few forwards that slip a ball away like that, but he has been doing it all year.

“He has been extremely good for us, he's a tight marker too, which is his number one job.

“The young fellas have done well. They're putting it up to the older boys, and showing that they want to keep those jerseys.”

For full match report and more reaction see this week’s Newry Reporter – in shops Wednesday March 20!