Armagh not yet fully adjusted to new rules - Ciarán Whelan

Ciarán Whelan has not been overly impressed by Armagh's Allianz League campaign, however, the former Dublin midfielder is far-from writing the All-Ireland champions off for the season ahead.

Whelan believes that Armagh are not too enthused about the current league campaign but expects them to have fully adjusted to the new rules within the game ahead of the start of the defence of Sam Maguire.

Armagh, of course, were one of the teams to voice their disapproval of the new rules' introduction, and their lacklustre campaign is most likely a result of a slow adjustment for the Orchard County, who felt that their game was perfectly placed to live within the old format.

Of course, they showed that was the case in 2024 as they brought Sam home, however, they have started the new year slowly, losing two games of their opening three fixtures.

"They still have the quality and it is taking them a little time to embrace the rules and the changes, because we know they were not that for it, and that was understandable," said Whelan, speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast. "So there is an element of reset for them."

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That said, Whelan felt that they have a bit of work to do to get up to speed with the form team, table toppers Donegal, who have a 100% record thus far.

And Jim McGuinness' side had eight points to spare in last weekend’s clash between the two Ulster heavyweights, with Donegal now one of the main favourites to win this year’s championship.

"Looking at them last week I though Donegal were a good