The Armagh All-Star nominee cites family reasons for leaving county panel after helping win 2024 All-Ireland title
irishmirror.ie and Staff reporter
14:56, 28 Dec 2025Updated 15:15, 28 Dec 2025
Madden’s Niall Grimley and Shane Grimley (Image: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane)
Armagh star Niall Grimley maintains his choice to step away from the Orchard county panel is ‘the right call for me and my family right now’.
The midfielder, who earned an All-Star nomination following Armagh’s second All-Ireland triumph in 2024, assisted his hometown club Madden in securing their maiden Armagh SFC crown this season whilst juggling responsibilities as a father of two young children.
Belfast Live disclosed in mid-December that Grimley was taking time away from the Armagh setup, and the player has now elaborated on his reasoning during an Armagh GAA podcast appearance.
The 31-year-old has provided no definitive timeframe for a potential comeback to Kieran McGeeney’s squad, though he cautioned he ‘may never go back’.
“I’m just taking time to step away, it could be for three months, could go back next October and give it another rattle, might never go back,” he said.
“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, the past couple of years haven’t been easy with injury.”, reports Belfast Live.
“I’ve two kids now, a lot going on, tough, tough decision. I’d do anything for the Armagh lads, some of them are the best friends in the world, Joe McElroy is as close to me as my brothers.
“It was a tough decision, but it is a decision that I am happy with and one that is right for me and my family right now.
“I met the boss man (Kieran McGeeney) a couple of months ago and made the very tough decision to step away,” he added. “It’s not a decision that I have taken lightly, a lot of thought has went into it.
“Obviously, I have two kids at the minute, Olivia is coming three [years old] and Kaden’s only coming three months, so it’s just very busy.”
Orchard manager Conleith Gilligan recently revealed that Grimley has the complete backing of the Armagh squad regarding his choice.
“Niall (Grimley) is just stepping away for the time being for family reasons,” Gilligan explained. “Every knows what they’ve been going through for the last while. After what he has given for Armagh, he’s allowed the time and space to do that.
“Niall has been an incredible servant for Armagh when you think of the injury he had and to come back to the level he has been.
“The club season he had with Madden – it was a fairytale for him and everyone in Madden. “He just needs a break and that’s where it is at. He is a brilliant player and, more so than that, he is a brilliant person.”
His departure will be sorely missed, however, as McGeeney’s panel have been struck by retirements and fitness concerns affecting crucial players.
Stefan ‘Soupy’ Campbell has called time on his county career alongside Jemar Hall, Mark Shields, Niall Rowland and Ciaron O’Hanlon whilst Maghery’s Ciaran Higgins has stepped away from the panel.
Furthermore, Rory Grugan is ruled out for the opening phase of the campaign and Aidan Forker, Ben Crealey, Tomás Galvin and Barry McCambridge are also on the treatment table with various knocks.
Armagh are set to play their first game of the McKenna Cup on Friday night, January 2, against their fierce rivals Tyrone, at the Box-It Athletic Grounds (7pm).
These Ulster neighbours will also face off in the preliminary round of the Ulster SFC in April, with the victors going up against Fermanagh in the quarter-final.
The Orchard County will kick off their National Football League Division One campaign with a journey to Clones to take on Monaghan on Sunday, January 25.