Sean Hughes and Niall Geoghegan are the contenders to start the 2012 season as Armagh goalkeeper.

Regular custodian Paul Hearty will be unavailable for the McKenna Cup - and perhaps part of the national league - due to his club commitments with Crossmaglen - and Ballymacnab 'keeper Hughes and Middletown's Geoghegan will slug it out for the No.1 jersey.

Hughes impressed manager Paddy O'Rourke during Ballymacnab's surprise run to the Armagh SFC decider, wherein he made a string of sensational stops.

And former County Board chairman Joe Jordan notes: "Sean was absolutely superb for Ballymacnab all through their county championship run while Niall has been catching the eye recently.

"It is certainly heartening to note that we have two goalkeepers of this calibre coming through. They are in line to get a chance to show what they can do with the county."

Whitecross wing back Mark Shields is also in the frame to break into the Orchard's senior panel. Tweet

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