Paul Grimley has insisted that he has not enforced a blanket media ban in Armagh.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph after the Orchard County's no-show at yesterday's planned media briefing at the Carrickdale Hotel in Ravensdale ahead of Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Donegal, the manager accused some reporters of indulging in "juvenile journalism" in relation to the Armagh team in recent weeks.

"I am not under any contractual obligation to speak to any element of the media. I have a basic human right to speak to whom I choose and I will continue to exercise that right," Grimley stressed.

"I think we have seen the juvenile side of GAA journalism of late in relation to Armagh. There are even journalists who make the point that no one would be interested in Armagh anyway so it is baffling to see them continue to write about us. Strange that, isn't it?

"It is also disturbing that certain journalists, both north and south, have seen fit to continually refer to the team management and county board in derogatory terms.

"One of the most recent instances of this was when our county board was described as 'spineless' and it's hardly surprising that some members of the board would like to meet the journalist in question to seek clarification on his remarks.

"The county board and executive in Armagh are people who are held in high esteem and do not deserve to be vilified by any journalist."

In refuting suggestions that a complete media ban has been in operation, Grimley added: "Go back over recent weeks and you will see that players like Kevin Dyas, Stefan Campbell and Ciaran McKeever have picked up significant man of the match awards and there was certainly no gag placed on them when they went to take delivery of their respective trophies.

"I had asked them, though, to dwell on their own performances and contributions rather than on the team's display or tactics." Tweet

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