Armagh ratify McGeeney as manager for a 12th year

Kieran McGeeney will return as Armagh senior football manager for 2026, having been ratified at a meeting of the county's committee on Monday.

McGeeney will remain the longest serving inter-county manager as he approaches his 12th season at the helm of his native county.

The Mullaghbawn native guided Armagh to the 2024 All-Ireland title, completing a personal double having won Sam Maguire as captain in 2002.

As a player, he also won six Ulster titles with the Orchard County, but is still seeking that elusive Anglo Celt as manager with Armagh falling short at the final hurdle in each of the past three seasons with penalty shootout defeats to Derry in 2023 and Donegal in 2024, while they were edged out by Jim McGuinness' Donegal in extra-time this year.

Armagh's defence of the All-Ireland title came to an end at the quarter-final stage to eventual winners Kerry and in the aftermath, admitted he was unsure what the future held.

"I sit down every year [to reflect], and my thing is always about players," he said in June.

"It's all about the players first and foremost and what they want and how much they want to push on.

"My appetite for football has always been the same. I love it, I enjoy it despite the abuse, it's just one of those things - maybe it's an addiction. I haven't even thought about that [the future], to be honest."

McGeeney's desire to remain at the helm has been granted, which is not a huge surprise, but he will now have to undertake a mini rebuild of his backroom team.

Former Kerry star Kieran Donaghy's decision to step down as a selector and forwards coach leaves a space to fill as Armagh seek to bounce back from what was ultimately a disappointing 2025.

However, there is plenty of quality within the squad who know what it takes to win Gaelic football's biggest prize and linking up with Armagh once again will be an attractive prospect.

As for McGeeney, his tenure continues and although the above comments in the wake of their defeat to Kerry suggested he would mull over his future, they also relay a desire to remain within the sport.

His commitment to Armagh is without question and as a leader who commands the respect of his players and adoration of the fans, his return is unsurprising.