Armagh's Rian O'Neill steps away from the team, casting doubt on their 2025 prospects. Galway defeats Armagh in the Allianz League's opening round, benefiting from key two-point free kicks and Armagh's struggles.
Armagh talisman Rian O'Neill is reportedly taking an extended break from the Gaelic football team, dealing a significant blow to their hopes of success in both the League and Championship in 2025. This news comes after Armagh suffered a heavy defeat against Galway in the opening round of the Allianz League . O'Neill, a key player for the 2024 All-Ireland champions, was notably absent from the squad in Salthill.
There has been recent speculation suggesting O'Neill was not fully participating in Armagh's pre-season training.Manager Kieran McGeeney confirmed that O'Neill is taking time away from the team but was unable to provide a specific timeframe for his return. McGeeney emphasized that he respects O'Neill's privacy and avoids prying into personal matters. He stated that O'Neill had been training with the team for a while but has now decided to take a break.The team's performance in Galway was further hampered by a red card shown to Niall Grimley. Both players and managers are still adapting to the new rules implemented for the 2025 season. McGeeney revealed that the team sought clarification regarding the interpretation of the 'three up' rule and its implications for free kick locations. He expressed frustration over the inconsistencies he observed in the application of the rule during the match. Galway's Shane Walsh was allowed to take a two-point free kick from outside the new scoring arc, while Armagh's Rory Grugan was awarded a free kick from the 20m line.Meanwhile, Galway manager Padraic Joyce acknowledged the team's victory but expressed dissatisfaction with their performance. He attributed the difficulties in implementing the new rules to both teams' lack of experience playing under them. Joyce highlighted the significance of the two-point free kicks and noted that both teams were caught offside at times. He also commented on the slower pace of the game, attributing it to the weather conditions and the playing surface
Gaelic Football Armagh Rian O'neill Galway Allianz League Gaelic Football New Rules Two-Point Free Kicks Championship Kieran Mcgeeney Padraic Joyce
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