O'Neill open to Armagh return after club success

Armagh's Rian O'Neill prepares to take a penalty ©INPHO/James Crombie

Rian O'Neill says he's 'keen' to resume his inter-county career after helping Crossmaglen to a 1-19 to 0-17 victory over Killeavy in the Armagh SFC final.

The 2024 All-Ireland SFC winner missed the entire 2026 campaign with Armagh, but says he's got his appetite back after Cross' captured the Gerry Fagan Cup for a remarkable 48th time.

"I love playing for Crossmaglen and putting on the black and amber jersey. We'll see when the club campaign is over about Armagh," O'Neill told RTÉ.

"I love playing for Armagh. I missed out last year for my own reasons but the hunger is back. Absolutely I'd be keen to get back. Teams aren't back until after Christmas so we'll worry about that when we come to it."

The gifted forward also remembered his late grandmother Margaret McConville and former team-mate Caolan Finnegan, who passed away from cancer in 2024, after the win at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.

"This group has been through a lot and sometimes those dark days will make you want to do it for a higher purpose than yourself," he continued.

"It's great to see the smiles on the faces of Crossmaglen supporters again. We want to drive this club on again because for 20 years we were the pinnacle of clubs in Ireland but it doesn't always stay that way."