FRESH doubts have been cast over Rian O’Neill’s involvement in Armagh’s defence of their All-Ireland SFC title.
The All-Star forward has not featured for the Orchard since their victory over Galway in the 2024 Sam Maguire showpiece.
Speaking after last night’s National League clash with Kerry, Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney admitted: “We’ll not see Rian for a good while, I’d say.”
McGeeney explained that O’Neill was ‘taking a bit of time out for himself’ when he addressed his absence following the season opener against Galway.
It was reported last month that the Crossmaglen Rangers man had returned to the set-up and he was in attendance for the win over Dublin a fortnight ago.
But when asked after the ten-point loss in Tralee if O’Neill will be back for the Championship, McGeeney responded: “I would doubt it.
“He just has his own sort of stuff going on.
“As I’ve said, I don’t like to go into a fella’s personal life. We just have to respect that and let him do what he has to do.”
Armagh are due to begin their Ulster SFC campaign with a quarter-final against Antrim on April 12.
McGeeney added: “Give the fella his space. He deserves that. I’m trying to do it for him.”
From a Kerry point of view they finally savoured some home comforts to ease their relegation fears with their most complete performance of the season so far.
But a comprehensive win over the All-Ireland champions in front of a full house at Austin Stack Park was somewhat blighted by an injury to Diarmuid O’Connor.
The midfielder appeared to be in considerable discomfort as he departed in the closing stages.
Kerry boss Jack O’Connor said: “I thought we could have been a bit more convincing in the second half but overall I’m very pleased.
“The only disappointing thing is it looks like Diarmuid picked up a bit of a shoulder injury there, which we need to get examined.
“That’s the only disappointing part of the night.”
Aided by goals from Dylan Geaney and Paudie Clifford, Kerry were in a commanding 13-point lead at half-time.
It was an occasionally fractious encounter which produced several off-the-ball skirmishes that required the attention of referee Conor Lane.
In the first meeting of the teams since Armagh prevailed after extra-time in last summer’s semi-final, the game quickly got away from the Ulster outfit as the hosts started like a team keen to settle a score.
On his side’s first-half display, Orchard gaffer Kieran McGeeney lamented: “We were just bullied off the ball. Physically outdone everywhere.
“It was just one of those days. You have to take it on the chin and get on with it.”
Having lost away to Mayo last time out, Kerry were also aiming to avoid a third consecutive defeat on home turf.
