Armagh's Famous Twins The Grimley Brothers By Joe McManus Armagh's famous twins - the Grimley brothers Armagh City, renowned for its majestic twin-spired Cathedral, also proudly boasts two famous twin footballers - the Grimleys, Mark and John, who have added a completely new dimension, not alone to football in the Orchard County, but to Ulster as well. Unfortunately, however, it is sad to see many so-called "Armagh supporters" only too willing to throw verbal abuse at the lads from terraces, perhaps, the National honour which they have had bestowed on them will silence the agitators once and for all. Not since the days of the legendary Jim McCullough has Armagh produced such powerful men, whose physique, strength and aerial ability must surely be the envy of every opponent. They are identical twins, their 'carman', Francie McGuigan also the Armagh physio, who ferries them around, can still have difficulty in distinguishing them. Aged 23, 6'2" in height and weighing 151/2 stone, the twins have an insatiable appetite for football and when they are not reigning with the county or club, they are pounding the country roads around their home on the outskirts of Armagh LATE DEVELOPERS It could be said that Mark and John were late developers. Despite the fact that they came from a strong GAA background, as schoolboys they would have preferred to spectate in the school yard rather than join the kickabout. They began their football with their club, Armagh Harps, at under-age level and have a minor championship medal. They were still teenagers when drafted onto the Harps senior team and appeared in three county championship finals losing them all. Indeed, Harps, until last year, has not won the title since 1958 when the twins' father, Matt Grimley, was a playing member. MEDALS TRAIL Their fortune was to take a dramatic swing and were soon to add Railway and McKenna Cup medals. The twins are now on the trail of an Ulster medal and try telling them that they aren't going to get it. They just don't know the meaning of the word defeat, as Donegal manager Brian McEniff is fully aware. There is no more greater admirer of the lads than the Donegal boss who hadn't to think twice about their Railway Cup call-up last year considering they were relative newcomers to the inter-county scene. They were first picked for the county senior team aged 20. Mark plays most of his football in the midfield. John has been alternating between the defence and attack. During the 89/90 League he played full forward for Armagh, moving back to the defence when full-back, Gareth O'Neill was sidelined through injury. It's worth noting that since John moved back Armagh won the McKenna Cup with out conceding a goal. In last year's Championship win against Tyrone it was the same story and in the first half against Down in the drawn game, the ball still hadn't crossed the goal-line. John didn't appear for the second half, injured, and Down struck four goals. He was back for the replay and there were no goals. His intimidating presence in the defence is having an adverse effect on most forwards. Indeed, it was Mark who was getting most of the praise and recognition for his spectacular high fielding in midfield, but in the championship it has been John. He was nominated 'Man of the Match' in that Tyrone game. On the field, the twins are fierce competitors; off it, quiet, shy. They have an older brother, Paul, who plays for their city rivals, Pearse Og, and when both teams met in the quarter-final of the county championship in 1990, brotherly love was forgotten about. BUILT AROUND TWINS When Armagh manager, Paddy Moriarty set about building his panel a few years ago, he did it by using the Grimley brothers as the cornerstones of his team construction. On their own admission they both agree that they are still learning. Their progress rate, however, has been quite remarkable, especially with the county team. They are from the old mould of Gaelic footballers, catch and kick style, and really detested the new rules. Infinitely more suited to the Australian rules their selection for the ireland trials was an obvious one. What the twins hate most is losing; they have injected some badly needed pride back into Annagh football. The panel looks up to them in every sense of the word. BIG IN Australia It was with great joy they heard they were honoured to represent Ireland in the International Rules series in Australia. Not alone were the twins a big hit with every member of the touring party, the Australian Press was totally captivated by them, and as one of the Irish side remarked "The Grimleys received more publicity than the actual series. The Australians thought there was nothing like them. They really made a mighty impact." 'HOME BIRDS' The twins' growing acceptance and adulation from the Australians may be Armagh's loss, as already rumours abound that Mark and John have been asked to return 'down under' and stay on a permanent basis . If a lucrative offer does come along the twins could accept and build a secure future for themselves, because job provision, which should have been a priority here, has yet to materialise. I doubt, however, that the twins would be tempted, lucrative offer or otherwise, they are, as the saying is - 'home birds'. In Australia they met their teenage idol and former Armagh Harps playing colleague' Johnny Corvan, who lives in Melbourne. HOUSEHOLD NAME Despite the fact that they have only been a few years with the county team, the name of the Grimley twins is already household. They have injected some badly needed pride back into Armagh football. The county panel looks up to them in every sense of the work. When Brian McEniff picks his Ulster team, the Grimleys are included straight away and when Eugene McGee set about finalising his squad for Australia, he hadn't to think twice about the Grimleys. Neither has he been proved wrong. Hopefully Mark and John will be around for some time to come to thrill the crowds with their high-fielding and inimitable style. Watch out Down. (Taken from "Orchard County") Hogan Stand 7th June 1991 Tweet

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