‘Our shooting was shocking’ laments Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney despite win over Fermanagh

Armagh are potentially just one win away from promotion to Division 1 following their 0-15 to 0-11 victory over Fermanagh on Sunday afternoon, but manager Kieran McGeeney wasn’t pleased with his side’s inability to find the net.

“We’re happy with the points, but not with the performance. Sorry, our performance was ok but our shooting was shocking,” he said.

“We left a lot behind us, Fermanagh are tight at the back and they look for mistakes, but we missed 2-4 or 2-5 in the first half and the same in the second half.

“Fermanagh will stay in games, they are tenacious and work extremely hard. I know Kieran [Donnelly, Fermanagh manager] as a person and he will tighten things up. It is a good reminder of what is coming here for us in the Championship.”

Andrew Murnin and Conor Turbitt both finished the day with 0-3, but each player missed a goal chance in the first half, with Murnin firing over from close range, before Turbitt had an effort cleared off the line by Che Cullen.

Armagh’s biggest goal chance came with just over 10 minutes to go, when Fermanagh’s John Rehill was dispossessed under no pressure in midfield. With all of their players – including goalkeeper Ross Bogue - up the field, and Armagh broke on the counter. Paddy Burns carried the ball forward 50 metres and went for the jugular with Bogue racing back to his goal, but the corner-back couldn't convert into an open net from around 21 metres out.

“You’re being nice to us, by saying that we passed up a couple,” McGeeney answered, when asked about the missed chances.

“It is annoying and it is funny because Paddy will probably get the worst of it, but because he was after soloing 100-metres, I will give it to him.

“But Andrew and Turbo were right in front of the goals. I don’t expect my corner-backs to chip the ‘keeper from 40-metres and get it into the net, but I expect my forwards to (score from close range).

“You might think I am being very hard on them, I thought they worked very hard, and it was a very heavy pitch - credit to Fermanagh it was on at all. It was heavy, but I still think we should have had more on the scoreboard, but it was good to get the win.”

Armagh have no fixture this week, but when they return to action on March 16, a victory at home to Cavan will confirm their promotion to Division 1. However, if Cavan were to win, they would jump Armagh in the top two positions on head-to-head going into the final round of fixtures – presuming Donegal avoid defeat in their game against bottom-placed Kildare.

For full match report and more reaction see this week’s Newry Reporter – in shops Wednesday March 6!