I want to be successful with Armagh - O'Rourke

He said he was “very happy for Down” in their home victory which puts them top of the NFL division two. The former All-Star said that he was “very happy for James [McCartan] and for Down”.

Following his team’s derby win, James McCartan stressed: “With other games the main thing is the two points. I’m not saying the two points were irrelevant tonight, but the main thing tonight was beating Armagh.

“It was about beating Armagh because it’s so long since we beat them.”

Following Kildare’s defeat to Armagh last Sunday week, Kieran McGeeney, the Leinster team’s boss, said he did not want to give an interview because he had “captained Armagh to an All-Ireland title”.

But new Orchard boss Paddy O’Rourke had no such hang ups.

He said: “The bottom line is that I am with Armagh and I want to be successful with them. They are a good bunch of fellas. They are a good panel of players who probably didn’t do themselves justice tonight.”

Although the jury is still out on the new boss, and indeed, on the team, a defeat next time out - against Tipperary on Sunday- could set alarm bells ringing.

In two weeks time the series of glorified challenge games which the NFL has become will make way for the Armagh All-County League.

Armagh may, depending on results however, find themselves in a rematch with their Mourne rivals in a divisional final.