Rian O'Neill: Oisin McConville expects Armagh star to return 'sooner rather than later'
Rian O’Neill will be back playing for Armagh “sooner rather than later” according to his uncle and Orchard County legend Oisin McConville.
Kieran McGeeney revealed at the weekend that the All-Star was taking a break from the game and didn’t know whether it would be weeks or months.
Speaking after his side lost their Division One opener to Galway in Pearse Stadium on Saturday night, McGeeney said: “He (O’Neill) is taking a bit of time out for himself at the minute.
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“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.”
The Armagh boss was also unable to confirm if O'Neill would return at all this season, but McConville gave a more optimistic outlook on the BBC’s GAA Social.
"I imagine he'll be back in sooner rather than later," said McConville.
"The more he's able to stay away for whatever length of time it takes and to go back in and be fully committed (the better), if you're not fully committed in an inter-county set-up then you're going to get found out."
"The game that we play, we're under no illusions about how much commitment it takes to play this game. Plus the fact that it's amateur.
"There are other strands to life. Whether you want to take a break, whether you want to walk away, that is entirely your choice. And the fact that ‘Geezer’ (McGeeney) has given him the freedom to do that is a positive from his point of view."
McConville also referenced the fact that Kerry boss Jack O’Connor has given David Clifford an extended break with the Fossa star expected to miss the early rounds of the Allianz Football League.
"There are quite a few lads who are stepping away, taking a break, retiring too early," added McConville.
"If you look at Clifford, him and Rian are very, very similar in profile, ability and the fact that they probably do have a lot of focus and attention on them and it's up to you how you deal with that."
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