Armagh talisman Rian O'Neill is ‘taking a bit of time’ away from the Orchard panel according to manager Kieran McGeeney in a huge blow to their prospects of League and Championship success in 2025.

The All-Ireland champions were well beaten in Pearse Stadium in Galway in the opening round of the Allianz League and Crossmaglen Rangers powerhouse O'Neill was one of a number of frontline stars from 2024 not in the squad in Salthill.

Speculation in recent weeks suggested O'Neill was not taking a full part in Armagh's pre-season training and McGeeney was unable to confirm if O'Neill would return at all this season, when speaking to media after the game.

“He is taking a bit of time out for himself at the minute,” McGeeney said. “I don't know whether it is weeks or months. We said we'd give it to him.

“When it is personal I try not to ask any questions. He was in for a while and he was training, he is just taking a bit of time for himself. That is it.”

McGeeney's team were well beaten in the end in Galway on Saturday night with Niall Grimley's red card a further blow.

Players, managers and officials are still getting used to the new rules in place for 2025 and McGeeney admitted they sought clarification before Saturday night’s fixture on where a free-kick for breaking the three up rule could be taken from.

When Galway were found to be in breach during the game, Rory Grugan kicked a free kick from the 20m line. Yet when Galway were on the right side of it later on, Shane Walsh brought it back outside the new scoring arc for a two-point free.

“We asked for clarification during the week and we were sent it last night. Actually (shows the rule on phone) I showed it to the ref, and he showed me his and they are completely different. That is the one we got," said McGeeney in Salthill

“So it was a free kick from the centre-point of the defending 20m line, the one the referees got was red after it, saying that they were allowed to take it out (beyond the arc).

“And listen you get annoyed at the ref, but they can only follow what they were given. There was a huge momentum swing at that time.” Meanwhile, Galway boss Padraic Joyce was happy with the result but not the performance.

"It is difficult for both teams to try and get used to them. It was the first real game. I think it'll take two or three games before we kind of know where we're at with them.

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“Obviously the two-pointers were a huge thing. I think we both got caught for having two up top for the handy frees in. That was it.

"I think people probably expected a way more fast-paced game but unfortunately, the conditions and the pitch didn't help that. We probably didn't see the best of the rules."

If revenge is a dish best served cold then this was the night for it.

The wind swirled. The rain fell. The temperature was just above zero. And Galway won. Yet who cares? It is January.

All-Ireland finals are in July. That’s when it counts. And that was when Armagh turned up and tuned in. This time they didn’t.

While they started well, and led by four points just before the half way point, as soon as Galway adjusted their settings they cruised to victory, ending up winning by six points.

Key to their success was their three successive two-pointers in the second half from Shane Walsh, Cillian O Curraoin and Paul Conroy.

That, coupled with Armagh's inability to score for 24 minutes in the second half, as well as a stupid red card for Niall Grimley, turned into a grim night for the Ulster men.

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