Armagh’s star player, Oisin O’Neill, has pinpointed a critical area for improvement following the team’s narrow defeat to Tyrone in their opening match of the 2026 season. The game, which took place on Friday at the Box-It Athletic Grounds, ended with Tyrone clinching a two-point victory, a result that puts them in a strong position to advance from Group A of the Dr McKenna Cup.
Despite a spirited performance that drew over 7,000 fans, Armagh’s inability to secure kickouts proved detrimental. O’Neill, who was named Man of the Match after scoring four points, expressed disappointment over the team’s kickout strategy. “I think we probably lost the majority, which is disappointing because it’s something that we’ve targeted pretty hard in pre-season,” he said.
The upcoming clash against Down, now scheduled for Wednesday night at the same venue, presents an opportunity for Armagh to rectify their performance. Previously, this match was set to take place at Burren, highlighting the logistical adjustments made in the lead-up to the game.
O’Neill acknowledged that their recent match against Tyrone was the first time Armagh faced a top-eight team since their loss to Kerry last year. “It probably just shows we need to up our levels again, which we’ll work hard to do over the next couple of weeks,” he stated.
While the match revealed areas for improvement, it also showcased promising talent. O’Neill praised the debut of his younger brother, Aaron O’Neill, who celebrated his 21st birthday by making his senior debut. “I’m happy for him to make his debut there. It is nice for him to get that bit of a birthday present,” O’Neill remarked. Aaron’s performance included a notable score, although O’Neill emphasized that there is still room for development for all players.
In terms of personal fitness, O’Neill is optimistic as he enters the new season. After struggling with a calf injury towards the end of the last campaign, he reported feeling fit and ready to contribute. “We had a pretty good pre-season. I’m happy with where the body is and hopefully ready now to push on for a good season,” he said.
The excitement of returning to competitive play in front of a live audience is palpable for O’Neill, who finds the atmosphere invigorating. “You’d probably be playing a challenge game or two at this time of year anyway, so it’s probably better to do it in front of a crowd and proper officials,” he added.
As Armagh prepares for their next challenge against Down, the focus remains on refining their skills and enhancing their gameplay, particularly in the area of kickouts, to ensure a strong performance in the Dr McKenna Cup.
