Armagh Star Reveals Reason For Shock Exit From Panel Ahead Of 2026
Armagh will enter the 2026 inter-county seasons as one of the favourites to lift the Sam Maguire, but their chances of winning another All-Ireland could be dented by a shock departure from the panel.
Madden's Niall Grimley has established himself as a key player for Armagh in recent years, playing a big role in the county's 2024 All-Ireland triumph. He has also starred at club level in recent times, helping Madden to a first ever senior county title earlier this year.
However, Grimley has now revealed that he has stepped away from Kieran McGeeney's panel ahead of the new season.
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Niall Grimley appeared on an Armagh GAA podcast this week alongside his brother Ryan, where he dropped the bombshell that he would not be part of the inter-county panel heading into 2026.
Grimley revealed that mounting family commitments were his reason for making this decision. He also suggested that his future in orange is very much up in the air as things stand.
I met the boss man (Kieran McGeeney) a couple of months ago and made the very tough decision to step away.
It’s not a decision that I have took lightly; a lot of thought has went into it.
Obviously, I have two kids at the minute, Olivia is three and Kaden’s only coming three months, so it’s just very busy...
I’m just taking time to step away, it could be for three months, [I] come back next October and give it another rattle, I could never go back.
I know the lads [have been] unbelievable, they’re only going one direction.
It’s been a decision I’ve had to make for myself. I’ve been on the road 10 years, [and] the past couple of years hasn’t been easy with injury.
Grimley's absence will certainly be a big blow for Armagh heading into next season, with Kieran McGeeney's side set to open their season with a Dr McKenna Cup clash against Tyrone on January 2nd.
They will no doubt hope that the Madden man may reconsider his decision later on in the year.
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