Kieran McGeeney believes Aaron Kernan and Brian Mallon could have soldiered on with Armagh for another few years.

New Orchard County boss McGeeney has been handed an unexpected double blow with news that both team stalwarts have opted to retire from intercounty football and the 2002 All-Ireland winning captain feels they have called time too soon:

"It's unfortunate," the former Kildare boss notes in The Irish Daily Star. "I would feel the fellas are all well within their capabilities of staying on at least another two or three years.

"Some of our team played on until they were 35 and 36. Those young fellas are in fantastic shape and it's a pity to lose them. It would have been great ... it's just unfortunate but you have to respect their decision.

"If they feel they have other commitments in their life that take priority it's understandable - family, career and all that have to kick in at some stage in your life."

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