'You just have to keep going' says Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney after third straight Ulster Final loss

“It's always tough when you get beat, so what do you do? That's part and parcel of sport, you just have to keep going.”

Last year, Armagh were left heartbroken at this stage of the season, but went on to enjoy a glorious summer – culminating in winning the Sam Maguire. McGeeney’s job over the next few weeks will be to try and once again turn disappointment into fuel for bigger and better things.

“Yeah, but you just have to start again,” he said.

“Some things are harder to take than others. We'll just sit down over the next 24 hours and look at the game and see what we can control and what we can't, and sort of try and push on.”

Oisin Conaty was a bright spark for Armagh on a disappointing day, as he chipped in with 0-6, all from play, and McGeeney praised the performance from the Tir na nOg man.

“We had some outstanding players, like Oisin was exceptional, six points from play. He was probably the best player on the pitch by a mile there.”

Armagh now go into the ‘Group of Death’ against fellow Division 1 sides, but McGeeney says no matter who they drew against it was going to be difficult.

“As far as I know, we've been in the Group of Death for the last three years, so what's new?

“It's a tough one. Derry are playing well by all accounts in their challenge games, and Dublin are Dublin, and Galway are probably one of the best teams in the country at the minute, but there's no easy ones left.”

Armagh may be joined by one of their All Stars from 2024 in the All-Ireland Series, as Rian O’Neill returned to the panel today – but he wasn’t yet ready to feature.

“He's joined us today, so we'll see how the next couple of weeks go,” said the Armagh manager.