Murphy lauds 'incredible' managerial display from McGeeney

McGeeney has now been involved in both of Armagh's All-Ireland victories

Former Donegal captain Michael Murphy praised the "incredible managerial performance" from Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney after the Orchard County's All-Ireland win.

McGeeney guided his side to their first Sam Maguire win in 22 years with a one-point victory over Galway at Croke Park on Sunday.

And Murphy believes McGeeney's management style helped his team over the line.

"Probably because of the persona of Kieran McGeeney and the warrior he was as a player, people overlook his incredible managerial performance this year and over the last number of years," Murphy told the GAA Social podcast.

'Armagh made it difficult for Galway to play'

The 2012 All-Ireland winner continued: "We’ve seen performances from McGeeney's sub bench that rivals the great Dublin teams with their impact.

"Soupy [Stefan] Campbell coming in, Oisin O’Neill and Niall Grimley coming in, they had massive impacts on the game.

"This Armagh team has shown qualities that real strong teams and groups need, they survive even at the end of the game."

Philly McMahon, winner of eight All-Ireland titles with Dublin, believes that Armagh's victory will finally silence McGeeney's doubters.

"After the Ulster final there was a pocket of Armagh fans saying, ‘Geezer out’ and he’s shut them up today and next season that will be squashed," said McMahon.

"It wasn’t the best final, but I won’t begrudge Armagh the win."

Both McMahon and Murphy agreed that Galway's faltering attack cost them dearly.

"I don’t think their big players showed up today and in the final moments they didn’t have the scorers," McMahon added.

"When Galway look back at it, they played with a three or four out of 10 performance, and it might not have taken much more to win it," said Murphy

"Credit to Armagh they made it difficult for them, but Galway’s shape in attack didn’t allow them to play."

'McGeeney up there with the GAA greats'

McGeeney has been in charge of Armagh for 10 years

Oisin McConville, who won the All-Ireland title alongside then captain McGeeney in 2002, was "in pieces" at the end of the game.

He expressed his delight at seeing his county finally win a second title and believes that winning the Sam Maguire as a manager has cemented McGeeney's place in GAA folklore.

"I’m exhausted, I didn’t expect us to do it the easy way that’s not in our nature but that was unbelievable and I’m so happy for everyone," said McConville.

"McGeeney has done it as a player, he’s done it as a manager and that puts him up there with the greats of the GAA.

McConville added: "I think this Armagh team will be right up there challenging next year, they will be much better for this experience."