FORMER ARMAGH STAR Jamie Clarke has spoken out in defence of under-fire Orchard County boss Kieran McGeeney, insisting the 44-year-old has nothing to do with his decision not to play inter-county football.
Clarke, 26, is moving to New York to pursue a career in marketing, with a particular focus on coffee and fashion, as he told the Irish Examiner last weekend.
McGeeney has been on the receiving end of some heavy criticism in the wake of Armagh’s Ulster SFC mauling at the hands of Cavan last weekend, most notably from The Sunday Game pundit Joe Brolly.
The former Derry star has repeatedly highlighted the absence of a number of Armagh’s top club players from the county panel, most notably those from Clarke’s Crossmaglen stable, suggesting that there are major problems within the county which are undermining their chances of success.
McGeeney came in for particular criticism with Brolly claiming that the current Armagh manager “doesn’t have a clue”.
But Clarke has spoken out in defence of McGeeney, insisting the Armagh boss has his full backing.
“My decision not to play for the Armagh senior football team this year has absolutely nothing to do with Kieran McGeeney being the manager,” Clarke said in a statement.
“It is no hidden secret that I have other ambitions outside of football resulting in the need to travel and live outside of Ireland.
“This has been the case long before Kieran ever got involved in the Armagh management setup.
“I have nothing but respect and appreciation towards Kieran who has given me so much support and guidance.
“As an Armagh man I fully support all he is trying to achieve with the current group of players.”
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