Check out the full Kieran McGeeney interview here [starts from 1:09:00]. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
Colm Parkinson recalls Kieran McGeeney laying waste to men – no matter the county – at a 1998 trial for the International Rules Team and thinking, “Who is this d**khead?”
McGeeney cared not if he was training or playing for real – he was coming to get you.
The former Armagh captain, and current member of the county’s coaching panel, was a recent guest on The GAA Hour Live and told us about the time Meath legend Graham Geraghty gave him something back in return.
Having launched into one hefty tackle too many, Geraghty hit back. Then McGeeney hit back. Both of them traded a flurry of blows. McGeeney said:
“We used to play Meath every year in a championship match, no matter who was over Armagh.
“It seemed to be a bit of a tradition. We would play Meath and it would go for about 20 minutes and we’d kick the shit out of each other.”
“[Colm O’Rourke] the coaches and whoever was over us must have thought ‘Good stuff, it’ll harden them up’.
“Myself and Graham probably had a few run-ins but it was harmless fun.”
Harmless fun. Harden them up. 1998 was a truly special time.
The pair were the perfect foil for each other as Ireland fronted up to help Ireland defeat the Australians on aggregate over two legs.
McGeeney believes there is a misconception he is an intense character.
“I don’t think I am [intense]. I think I’m the life and soul of the party. You just don’t be at the parties I go to.
“Everybody has a different perception. I suppose because I’m quiet over the years, people’s perceptions has grown and exaggerated.”
Senan Connell, his former clubmate at Na Fianna, has seen that intense ‘Roy Keane, professional persona’ first-hand though. Before a county semi-final, he recalls McGeeney arriving into the dressing room, staring each teammate in the eye and then doing press-ups in front of everyone.
“Geezer said, ‘If I went around everyone’s gear-bag, I bet yer going out clothes would be in it.’
“There were fellas ducking and hiding their bags everywhere.”
No, not intense at all…
