It was third time unlucky for Armagh at Croke Park on Saturday evening, and Groundhog Day of a sort. Armagh lost in penalties again, as they did to Derry in the 2023 Ulster final, as they did to Galway in the 2022 All-Ireland quarterfinal, as they did to Monaghan in the 2022 McKenna Cup semifinal.
It was heartbreak for Armagh and luckless manager Kieran McGeeney who were again denied a place in an All-Ireland semifinal.
While the penalty-taking from both teams was of the highest order, there were a number of talking points in the game's decisive moments that will have McGeeney's attention.
As Armagh went seeking an equaliser at the end of normal time, they were denied a possible free by Conor Lane for a shoulder on Conor Turbitt by Gary Moghan.
There was a confusing number of moments as it was unclear that the referee had blown for fulltime. McGeeney eventually made his way onto the pitch to remonstrate with the officials, but it was in vain.
1 July 2023; Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney gestures towards referee Conor Lane at the end of normal time during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Armagh and Monaghan at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Then, in the final moments of extra time, with Monaghan chasing an equaliser, a long stoppage of play meant that Rory Beggan restarted play in 6th minute of added time. The restart would eventually lead to Conor McManus's leveler. Only three minutes had been flagged at the start of extra time, and Rian O'Neill had seemingly won the game with a score taken with two minutes of added time already played.
Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney's post-match reaction
Speaking to reporters after the game, McGeeney criticised GAA timekeeping and called for the introduction of a hooter as is used in the LGFA to remove any grey area about when time is up.
“Same last time."
The person taking the free was told it was the last kick of the ball against Galway, three more minutes. Fella taking the last free was told it was the last kick of the game.
“People seem to want to decide the game themselves and it is very difficult to take but the sooner they stop thinking they know everything and take it from Ladies football and take it out of people’s hands so they know the times the better.
“Listen, it’s the same for every team at the minute.”
Monaghan were entitled to their own gripes with officiating as Michéal Bannigan might have been denied a point by a Hawkeye failure.
Defeat in penalties would have been cruel on either side. It was titanically harsh on Armagh given their past failures in penalties.
McGeeney's future as Armagh manager is a conversation for another day; tonight there's only the desolation of a very familiar defeat.
