Niall gets County call up

The White’s man had an impressive season and was part of his teams push for promotion to the top flight. St. Peter’s also reached the Intermediate Championship final but were beaten by a Steven McDonnell powered Killeavey side. Niall McConville was brought through the youth ranks by coaches such as Brian McCabrey, who is currently in charge of the club’s Under 21 team along with Lenny Moore and Davy Green.

The North Street men had a comfortable victory last Sunday in their Under 21 first round game over a strong Shane O’Neill’s team. Armagh supporters will be sad to hear that Andy Mallon has decided to step down from the side he is currently working in Dublin and is struggling to meet the commitments connected with a county team. Team boss Grimley, however, has stressed that the door will be left open for the Pearse Og’s defender, should he have a change of heart after Christmas.

Other players who were not considered by the new team boss are Malachy Mackin, Billy Joe Padden, Paul Carville, Ryan Rafferty, Michael O’Rourke, Conor Mackle, Colm Watters and two of Grimley’s own club men Anto Duffey and Marc Cullen. Some of those not considered for the 2013 season have not been dropped by Paul Grimley, but are unavailable at present.

Three Carrickruppin men namely Steven Harold, Declan Carville, and Barry Loughran have all joined the panel. Killeavey players James Donnelly and Kieran O’Hanlon are also in, as are Gerard Barton and J. J Clarke of Pearse Ogs. Crossmaglen’s Steven Finnegan and Paul McKeown have also been brought in as part of a seven strong Rangers contingent, who will not train with the side until their commitment to the All Ireland club series is finished.

New recruit Eamon Cusack from Maghery is one of four Maghery men included by the new Armagh boss with the others being James and David Lavery and Aidan Forker.

It is unclear as to whether or not Stephan Forker, who had been instrumental in his side’s push to the top of the first division, had been asked by Grimley to join the squad. Local players include Sarsfields’ Michael Stevenson, Finnian Moriarty of Wolfe Tones and Stefan Campbell of Clan Na Gael. Paul Grimley will also be assessing the talent available from the Armagh academy is a coaching system which is primarily to enhance the skills of players who could progress to play senior county football.