'It's a devastating blow' - Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney empathises with Ciaran Mackin after season-ending injury

On the field, things went as well as they could, as Armagh bulldozed their way through Derry in a remarkable 3-17 to 0-15 win. However, it was hard not to feel sorry for Mackin on the side-lines, who is the second Armagh footballer in his own household to suffer a season-ending injury, following his older sister Aimee suffering the same fate two weeks ago.

Additionally, for the Armagh men’s set-up, Mackin is the second player in the space of a week to suffer a serious injury, as Conor O’Neill was stretchered off with a ruptured Achilles during the county’s win over Westmeath.

The players who came in for the Derry game certainly stepped up to the mark, which manager Kieran McGeeney made sure to point out after the match, but he also expressed his empathy for Mackin, having suffered the same injury twice during his own playing days.

“When somebody does their cruciate in front of you – I know the feeling because I've done both of mine – it's a devastating blow; not just to the player themselves, everybody feels for it,” said McGeeney.

“He got a ball, somebody fell on top of him, but what happens is a huge amount of pain, then you get up and you think, ‘it's OK, it's alright’. That’s always a bad sign. I know the feeling all too well.

“It's the same with Conor O’Neill and his Achilles. All of that included, I'm proud of the fellas, the way they carried themselves today, and the result that they got.”

Armagh were also without the services of Andrew Murnin, whilst Paddy Burns was deemed only fit enough for a place on the substitutes bench. It is hoped that both of those players will be back and available for selection for Armagh’s next game, which is against Galway in two weeks’ time.

For full match report and more reaction from Armagh’s victory over Derry, see this week’s Newry Reporter – in shops Wednesday June 5!