Ulster Championship: McGeeney faces job of lifting Armagh

Kieran McGeeney admits he faces a big task in lifting his Armagh players after their 2-11 to 0-8 drubbing by Donegal in the Ulster Championship.

The Orchard County have to regroup to play Meath or Wicklow in the first round of the All-Ireland qualifiers.

"We went out in the first half and did everything we were not supposed to do," said McGeeney in his first campaign as manager of Armagh.

"We pushed out too much and left holes and gave sloppy balls away."

Armagh scored just two points i the first half and were 10 down as McGeeney gave his half-time team talk.

"We got better in the second half and created some chances but didn't take them," he said. "We showed that there were chinks there.

"But credit goes to Donegal. They are good at their game, trying to drag you out and creating space inside.

"You have to be patient against them and we were not and the consequences were there to see.

"The first half was definitely one to forget and in the second it was to do with not taking "goal chances and sloppy passing.

"I suppose it is the difference between Division One and Division Three. However, I have to tell the boys they are better than that.

"The lesson is that if you are going to be sloppy against quality teams, you are going to get punished."