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Moving On

McGeeney needs new assistant manager as All-Ireland winning teammate steps away

Aidan O’Rourke has left his role with the Orchard County.

Kieran McGeeney and Aidan O'Rourke McGeeney and O'Rourke claimed an All-Ireland title together in 2002. INPHO INPHO

KIERAN MCGEENEY WILL need a new assistant manager in 2017 after Aidan O’Rourke has stepped away from the role with Armagh.

O’Rourke has cited ‘pressures of time’ for his reason for departing from the position.

“I wouldn’t be devoting the time that the players would be devoting and therefore I feel the best thing is moving aside to get somebody in who can give it more time and attention,” O’Rourke told The Irish News today.

McGeeney and O’Rourke have shared plenty Gaelic football experiences together, both playing in the half-back line when Armagh won their first ever All-Ireland senior football title in 2002.

Kieran McGeeney 22/9/2002 DIGITAL Kieran McGeeney lifts Sam Maguire in 2002 INPHO INPHO

When McGeeney was Kildare manager, he brought O’Rourke on board as part of his backroom team for the 2010 and 2011 campaigns, when Kildare reached the All-Ireland semi-final and quarter-final respectively.

Kieran McGeeney and Aidan O'Rourke McGeeney and O'Rourke previously worked together in Kildare

O’Rourke later managed the Louth senior footballers and came up against McGeeney in 2013 when Kildare defeated the Wee County by 1-19 to 0-15 in a qualifier tie.

Kieran McGeeney and Aidan O'Rourke at the end of the game McGeeney and O'Rourke after a 2013 All-Ireland qualifier Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Armagh exited the Ulster championship this summer with a defeat against Cavan before losing in the All-Ireland qualifiers to Laois.

In the 2017 Ulster championship, Armagh have been drawn against neighbours Down.

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