Hi °C | Lo °C New Armagh manager Peter McDonnell has a lot to live up to - but he's relishing the challenge.
The man who delivered the Ulster Under 21 title for his county this year has suddenly found himself elevated into the senior team hot seat in succession to Joe Kernan.
But McDonnell, who has amassed considerable experience - and success - as a club manager believes he can provide a fresh dynamic within the orchard county.
He steered his home club Mullaghbawn to the AIB Ulster Club title in 1995, engineered a Tyrone crown for Errigal Ciaran in 2000 and has also been in charge of Burren.
McDonnell's confirmation as team boss by the county board followed a meeting in the Armagh City Hotel last night when he was the somewhat surprise choice.
It had been understood that Paul Grimley, who had worked as Joe Kernan's No 2 for four years, was in pole position for the role having already relinquished the position he held as assistant manager to Cavan for the past year.
And while many Armagh clubs are known to have favoured the appointment of Grimley, the special sub-committee which was set up to interview candidates for the post came down on the side of McDonnell.
Their recommendation was duly endorsed by the county board - and a new era now dawns in Armagh football.
Kernan, of course, has left a rich legacy and this means a daunting challenge for McDonnell.
It had been hoped that Armagh might have gained a second All Ireland title under Kernan's baton to complement their 2002 triumph but it was not to be.
Now that McDonnell has taken over the reins, one of his first tasks will be to appoint his backroom team and then draw up his initial playing panel.
And here most interest will centre on just how many of Armagh's more experienced players will agree to come on board - if selected that is.
There are currently question marks over the continuing involvement of Enda McNulty, Kieran McGeeney, Paul McGrane and Oisin McConville at senior county level and Armagh certainly could not afford to lose such a rich seam of experience.
McGeeney and McDonnell both hail from Mullaghbawn and there is speculation that the All Ireland winning captain could yet become a member of the new manager's administrative set-up.
