Armagh's Rory Grugan says that the loss of Jamie Clarke for the 2016 campaign could have a positive effect for the Orchard County.

Clarke has decided to go travelling for the year, ruling out the possibility of him featuring for Kieran McGeeney's men this season, and Grugan believes that the Crossmaglen star's absence bring "good pressure" to the team.

"Jamie's absence is probably a double-edged thing because there would have been a criticism of our attack in the past. The wisdom was 'if you stop Jamie, you can nullify us'," Grugan told The Irish News.

"There is more pressure on other forwards now but it's good pressure, I suppose. We can't be looking at giving the ball to Jamie and expect him to produce a bit of magic to score a goal.

"Now other boys are going to have to step up and there have been boys doing that - the likes of Stefan Campbell and Kevin Dyas, who is a real leader in the forwards, and there are other boys.

"I think it's a good thing insofar as boys will be looking to step up and not be looking towards someone like Jamie and expecting for him to do it. It's up to other players to take the lead."

Armagh's National League campaign in Division Two starts this Sunday away to Meath, with throw-in at Pairc Tailteann in Navan scheduled for 2pm.

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