Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney embracing goalkeeper battle as Ethan Rafferty and Blaine Hughes fight number one jersey
Two into one doesn’t go and Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney has used both of his goalkeepers in the opening rounds of the Allianz Football League.
Ethan Rafferty was Armagh’s first choice ’keeper since making the switch in 2022, but suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle while playing for the Grange in a club game in 2023.
Blaine Hughes took his opportunity to reestablish himself as Armagh’s chief custodian with a series of fine performances during last season’s League campaign and Rafferty didn’t return despite regaining full fitness ahead of the Championship.
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With Armagh winning the All-Ireland and Hughes earning an All-Star nomination, Rafferty might have thought he’d be forced to bide his time before getting another chance.
Yet, so-called sweeper keepers are back in vogue with the new rule changes and, having been introduced during the round one loss to Galway, Rafferty earned a starting berth against Tyrone last weekend.
He repaid McGeeney’s faith by scoring 0-5 in a Man-of-the-match performance including a brace of two-pointers as the Orchard Men defeated Tyrone 1-24 to 0-18.
Speaking after the game, McGeeney hailed Rafferty’s performance, but insisted the matter isn’t settled ahead of the round three clash with Ulster champions Donegal in Ballybofey later this month.
“Ethan (Rafferty) is pushing hard and he wants to get playing, Blaine (Hughes) has done nothing wrong he has been flying as well, so hopefully the two of them will push each other on,” said McGeeney.
“Ethan is a good player, we all know that. Blaine was All-Star material last year and he’ll be fighting and it is going to be horses for courses, depending on what rules we stick with and things like that.
“I want plenty of battles between them, the harder you fight for your place then the better for everybody.”
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