Armagh defender Tiernan Kelly says it’ll be up to others in the group to try and fill the void left by recent departures from Kieran McGeeney’s squad.

It was confirmed over the Christmas period that midfielder Niall Grimley would not be lining out for the Orchard men in 2026, citing family reasons in his decision to step away from the set-up.

“I think everyone knows the quality that ‘Grimbo’ (Niall Grimley) brings, along with the other guys that have stepped away,” Kelly is quoted saying by BelfastLive.co.uk at the recent launch of the 2026 Dr McKenna Cup.

“So it's up to the rest of us to try and fill in the gaps and the new boys that are coming in. So there'll be a massive miss and they all bring their own unique attributes to it. So we'll just have to try and fill in the gaps and make it up.

“I think everybody knows now that it is sort of a middle right and it’s a bit of a free-for-all - a number on your back means nothing nowadays.

“The kickouts are aimed at that middle eight and, no matter where you are in it, you have to try and fight for possession. Whether you line out at midfield or in the half-back or half-forward line, I think the roles are very similar.”

The new season gets underway for Armagh this evening (Friday) when they host Tyrone at the Box-It Athletic Grounds (7pm) in the opening round of the Dr McKenna Cup.

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