Armagh's Joe McElroy has stated that the next target for the current All-Ireland champions is the Ulster provincial title.
The Orchard men overcame the odds last week to become All-Ireland champions against Galway for the second time in their history.
The win was not expected by many at the start of the year, and it's also anticipated that retaining the Sam Maguire crown would be surprising.
However, the Armagh players, led by Kieran McGeeney, believe they can remain a force in the sport.
McElroy, the Armagh defender, is one of those players, and he admits that they are keen to win an Ulster title for the first time since 2008 next year. The All-Ireland winners lost on penalties to Donegal this year.
“We skipped to the big prize,” said McElroy. “We haven’t won Ulster, so we’ll be gunning for that.”
McGeeney, known as "Geezer," has added a mental edge to Armagh, and the players appreciate his methods. McElroy, one of the older players in the squad, revealed the methods employed by the former Kildare boss this year.
Armagh captain Aidan Forker lifts the Sam Maguire Cup after their side's victory in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Armagh and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin“We’ve been on this journey for a long time,” he says. “I took two years out, but this is my eighth year with Armagh.
“A lot of the boys have been soldiering on through the whole 10 years (of Kieran McGeeney’s time), and Geezer has kept us together and got everyone going in the same direction.
“He just completely changed the mindset of the starting 15 and how 16 to 42 are equally important.
“In some of the in-house games we had before the final, the so-called ‘Blue team’ or the B-team spanked the A-team a couple of times, and I think that keeps you very honest and accountable.
“There’s always good competition for places, and that’s what drives the team on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning.
“Geezer giving us that mantra and that belief is what pushed the whole thing on.”
Armagh's blanket defence has come under fire from pundits and fans alike. However, the proof was in the pudding in the end. McElroy added that he enjoyed the year and the role he played. He is also keen to improve as a player when the new season begins.
“The way it is now, everyone attacks and everyone defends. There are no set positions. I play 10 or 12, but I’m not naturally a half-forward. I’m naturally a half-back.
“The game is up and down, up and down, transition and pressing kickouts. So it was a brilliant year for me, and I’ve really enjoyed every single moment of it.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to pre-season already and seeing what extra one percent I can get, whether it’s physical, technical, or tactical. Whatever it is, I just want to improve again and move on.”
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