Outspoken GAA pundit Joe Brolly didn’t even wait for the full-time result yesterday before lambasting Kieran McGeeney and the work he is doing with the Armagh footballers.
The Orchard county were knocked out of the Ulster Championship by Cavan in Breffni Park, with Brolly tearing into the former Armagh footballer at half-time.
“These Armagh players are segregated away from their clubs, they don’t play club football,” Brolly said. “Vast resources are poured into this.
“I don’t know what sort of power or personality Kieran has to be able to achieve this – as he did in Kildare he’s now doing in Armagh.
“He seems to have a vice grip on what happens in the county, and this is the outcome of that.”
He highlighted the decision to bring outfield footballer Paul Courtney into goals and also criticised McGeeney for not making proper use of other players.
“Bringing in a goalkeeper two weeks ago to make his county debut today,” he said.
“What is the point of this? They swear allegiance to the cult of Kieran.”
Viewers were split between those who agreed with Brolly and others who felt his attack went too far.
#Brolly and O'Rourke not holding back in the analysis. Great stuff. McGeeney hasn't a clue says Joe #thesundaygamelive #armcav
— James Heff (@HeffJ6) May 29, 2016
Enough already from Brolly. . Given license to rant fictitously about Mcgeeney and the county. Disgusting
— fintan burns (@fintanburns) May 29, 2016
Joe Brolly nailing it once again about McGeeney.Don't buy the cult surrounding him at all. A dictator. Club football an afterthought to him
— Jim Walsh (@Jim_Walsh_1989) May 29, 2016
@RyleNugentRTE Make a decision about core values here. Ratings or basic human values? Joe Brolly tirade today on McGeeney an utter disgrace.
— Come On Silver Lady (@ComeOnSlverLady) May 29, 2016
One man who definitely didn’t agree with him was Pat Spillane, who took a completely different line on last night’s Sunday Game and criticised his fellow analyst for some of the comments made earlier in the day.
“I’ve been a critic of Kieran McGeeney over the last number of years and I certainly don’t rate him as a top-class manager,” Spillane said. “At the same time, I feel that the criticism levelled at him is very much over the top.
“Armagh are a team who haven’t a conveyer belt of young talent coming through.
“I was listening to Joe today and I felt he was just over the top in his criticism.
“You know, when he talked Crossmaglen fellas not making themselves available, talking to Crossmaglen players, that is not true.”
“Joe is a brilliant debater, brilliant wordsmith and brilliant at arguing but (McGeeney) can only play the hand he’s dealt.”
If you missed last night’s Sunday game you can catch up here.
