Armagh’s Oisin O’Neill has highlighted a crucial area for improvement in his team’s performance as they prepare for their upcoming match against Down in the Dr McKenna Cup. Following a narrow defeat to Tyrone, where goals from Lorcan McGarrity and Mattie Donnelly secured a two-point victory for the Red Hands, O’Neill emphasized the need to enhance their kickout strategy before the game on Wednesday, January 10, 2026, at the Box-It Athletic Grounds.
In front of over 7,000 spectators, the Orchard County looked poised to start their season on a winning note. However, the loss exposed deficiencies that O’Neill believes must be addressed. “The big thing that we’re not happy with tonight is the kickouts on both sides,” he stated. “We probably lost the majority, which is disappointing, because it’s something that we’ve targeted pretty hard in pre-season.”
The match provided valuable insights as Armagh faced a top-eight team for the first time since their previous encounter with Kerry. O’Neill acknowledged the need to elevate their performance levels, stating, “It shows we need to up our levels again, which we’ll work hard to do over the next couple of weeks.”
Despite the defeat, O’Neill noted positive aspects of the game, mentioning the impact of new players. “A few boys made their debut, which is good to see. Boys are pushing hard in training and have had a good pre-season, bringing fresh energy to the group,” he explained.
The match also marked a significant milestone for Aaron O’Neill, who made his senior debut on his 21st birthday. Oisin expressed pride in his younger sibling’s achievement, adding, “It is nice for him to get that bit of a birthday present. He kicked a nice score when he came on, but there’s plenty he still needs to work on, like the rest of us.”
Oisin O’Neill, who dealt with a calf injury towards the end of last season, expressed satisfaction with his current fitness levels. “We had a pretty good pre-season; I had a little niggle through early December, but now I’m happy with where the body is and hopefully ready now to push on for a good season,” he said.
The excitement of returning to the pitch in front of fans has revitalized the team. “It is great to get back out in the buzz, great to get back out on the pitch in front of the crowds,” O’Neill remarked. “You’d probably be playing a challenge game or two at this time of year anyway, so it’s better to do it in front of a crowd and proper officials.”
As Armagh gears up for their clash against Down, the focus remains on refining their performance and building momentum in the early stages of the season. With O’Neill’s leadership and the energy of debutants, the Orchard County aims to turn their learnings into a successful outing on Wednesday night.
