ARMAGH’S joy at retaining their All Ireland Senior Championship status, with victory over Donegal, was short lived as management due Darnell Parkinson and Joe Feeney announced their decision to step down within hours.
The news broke late in the evening in a statement from the Armagh LGFA Executive Committee.
Chair Sinéad Reel said: “Armagh have been notified that the joint management team of Darnell Parkinson and Joe Feeney will be stepping down as the senior team management.
“On behalf of Armagh, we extend our sincere thanks to Darnell, Joe and the backroom team for their contribution to our senior team for the 2025 season.
“We thank all those involved on the management team, their partners and families for their time and commitment to the Armagh cause.
“We wish the entire management and backroom all the best in their future endeavours.
“Back to Back Ulster titles and senior retention leaves a strong foundation for the future of Armagh football.”
The county are now facing their second management change within a year after the departure of previous boss Greg McGonigle last August after leading the team to All Ireland glory.
Parkinson and Feeney, who were part of his backroom team, stepped up as joint managers.
But their season was undermined by incredibly bad luck with injury to key players and now they have decided to step away, Armagh have been offered the opportunity to start afresh and install a completely new coaching structure.
Nevertheless, in 2026, Armagh will be on their fifth management ticket in five seasons, and nine in 12 seasons, an unusually high turnover for a team that has been quite successful – for example five Ulster Senior titles in six seasons this decade, first ever NFL Division One title last year and, until this season, had reached at least the All Ireland last eight every year since 2016.
Creating stability will therefore be a priority.
