Armagh are managed by Kieran McGeeney, who captained the Orchard County to their sole All-Ireland title 22 years ago.
McGeeney is the longest-serving senior inter-county manager in the GAA having been appointed to the Orchard County job in late 2014.
During his time in charge as Ulster – let alone All-Ireland titles – remained elusive despite numerous chances to land silverware, there have been regular murmurings about his future in the job and McGeeney had to win a vote of confidence from the county’s executive and clubs to retain the position last August.
Galway boss Padraic Joyce was the county’s star forward as the Tribesmen clinched All-Ireland titles in 1998 and 2001, the latter being the county’s last success.
After being Galway minor boss, the Killererin club-man was appointed senior manager in late 2019.
While Joyce’s side suffered Connacht final defeats by arch-rivals Mayo in the Covid-hit straight knockout championships in 2020 and 2021, the Galway GAA board kept faith with him.
After winning the provincial title in 2022, he guided the county to the All-Ireland decider where they were narrowly edged out by Kerry in a thrilling game.
Mayo ended Galway’s hopes at the last-12 stage in 2023 but Joyce avenged that defeat by guiding the Tribesmen to a third successive Connacht title in May before his side plotted a route to the county’s second All-Ireland Final in three years.
