McEntee has rich memories of Anglo-Celt success
Interview
Jack Madden
It’s with all the experience of six Ulster titles that John McEntee says: “It’s one of those things that comes and goes.”
The former Armagh star now plies his trade as a manager, across enemy lines but just a stone’s throw from his home of Crossmaglen in the village of Inniskeen.
So as the circus is underway once again this week, he allows himself to bask in the memories of his first Anglo-Celt Cup in 1999.
“Armagh made the All-Ireland minor final in 1992, that was a big deal for the county. A number of fellas came through from that team, and they gelled into a strong squad. There was that crucial blend of youth and experience.
“Up until that point, there was a little bit of friction between the clubs in north and south Armagh, but that was completely knocked on the head by Brian Canavan and Brian McAlinden.
“Canavan is a Poyntzpass man, McAlinden Sarfields. He played in goal in the All-Ireland final of 1977. They were just two great Armagh men.
“We finished a great Down team in ‘99. They went into the doldrums for many years after that. We made three All-Ireland semi-finals in that era and were beaten by Galway, Kerry, and Meath, so we knew we were right up there in terms of an All-Ireland.
“We won an Ulster minor in 1994 and the same team won the U21 against Derry. We fought hard in 2000 and 2001, but just fell short.
“2002 Joe Kernan came in, and Stevie McDonnell really started to blossom, as did Ronan Clarke, and we managed to get over the line.”
While both don bainisteoir bibs in their post-playing careers, McEntee admits he doesn’t see much of his old comrade Kieran McGeeney.
That said, the memories together can’t be erased, even if it’s a simple gesture these days:
“It’s a bit like any man on those teams that you played and soldiered with. I have great time for Kieran, but the reality is we both have busy lives and you don’t see as much of these men as you’d like to.
“At the start of every season, I do send him a text just to wish him well.”
Of the big selection calls awaiting ‘Geezer’ is whether to start Oisin O’Neill. It does seem unlikely on the basis of what we’ve seen, using the full-forward as an impact sub to good effect in 2026, perhaps filling the void of the retired Stefan Campbell.
For personal reasons, McEntee would of course like to see O’Neill in from the start:
“Listen, Oisin is a fellow club man of ours, we’d love to see him start all the time. I haven’t spoke to him about it, but I struggle with it for him, because I know it can’t be easy.
“One game he played 20 minutes and came away with man-of-the-match. The last day he kicked 0-4. Maybe that’s Kieran’s thinking, that he can score heavily in such a short space of time and bring that impact.
“Kieran likes to finish strong, it's been a hallmark of his time. Armagh supporters are so vocal that they can definitely bring you more energy with a move like that. It might well be the right thing.”
On the match-up front, the seven-time Ulster Club SFC champion is confident All-Ireland final goal scoring hero Aaron McKay has what it takes to mark Bobby McCaul. At the other end, some had suggested Stephen O’Hanlon could be sacrificed to deal with Oisin Conaty’s athleticism. McEntee can’t see it.
He is concerned however about Monaghan captain Mícheál Bannigan:
“For me, Bannigan is unquestionably the best footballer in Monaghan. Up until the closing stages of the championship, I thought he was the best 11 in Ireland in 2025.
“Armagh will likely pick two players to man-mark and fold into their defensive structure. He’ll be one, being that impressive brings attention.
“I think Tiernan Kelly is a good match-up in terms of size and power. Tiernan will try to put him on the back foot. Stephen O’Hanlon might be the other man they target.
“He’s a similar player to Conaty, but doesn’t just have the same output on the scoreboard.”