Rian O'Neill hailed as ‘big player for big moments' as All-Ireland winner insists Armagh ‘lesser team without him'
STEVIE McDONNELL believes Rían O'Neill's comeback adds huge value to Armagh's All-Ireland defence.
The hitman starred as the Orchard won Sam Maguire last summer — but was absent from Kieran McGeeney's squad when the 2025 campaign began.
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Rian O'Neill is back in the fold with Armagh
Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
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Steven McDonnell called it a huge boost for Armagh
Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
O'Neill returned to inter-county training in February before
But the Crossmaglen man
And McDonnell says the end of his exile is a huge boost for Armagh in their bid to stay on top ahead of today's
He told SunSport: 'Rían is a fantastic player for Armagh.
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'You only have to look at his performances last year in the key moments.'
O'Neill shone when the Orchard edged Kerry after extra-time in last year's All-Ireland semi-final, scoring three points.
He also grabbed a crucial point in the 1-11 to 0-13 showpiece triumph over Galway at GAA HQ.
But McDonnell said: 'He probably wasn't consistently at the level where he can be last year but he stepped up in the key moments of the key games.
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'What I mean by that is in the semi-final, he caught the ball under the crossbar, drove out of the defence, gave the ball to Conor Turbitt and kicked a massive score against Kerry when we badly needed the point.
'His point in the final was massive.
Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview -
'Big players perform in big moments and that's what Rían did last year.
'Having him back adds strength and value to Armagh's cause.
'When you think about it, a lot of people wondered if Armagh would be in the mix without Rian O'Neill.
'But they're a lesser team without him and having him back now is a huge bonus.'
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