Kieran McGeeney: Armagh showed they're a good side today

Kieran McGeeney suggested that the media have underestimated his team in recent years after they beat Galway this afternoon at Carrick-on-Shannon.

The victory, coupled with Westmeath earning a late draw against Tyrone, meant that the Orchard County advanced straight to the quarter-final of the All-Ireland championship.

In doing so, they became the only non-provincial champion to do so, after Derry, Dublin and Kerry topped their respective groups.

Today's contest started slowly but it came to life after Ethan Rafferty saved a Shane Walsh penalty on 25 minutes. While the Tribesmen still led by two at the break, Armagh were able to find the scores they needed to move one ahead.

Walsh had a chance to equalise with a very late free but he pushed the effort high and wide to the right.

"It's always a tough game against Galway," McGeeney said on RTÉ's Sunday Sport afterwards.

"There hasn't been much between us in the last few years; a point either way. You'd think we were 10 miles behind Galway listening to the noise out there.

"We've had some of the best games over the last few years and it takes two good teams to have a good game. Joycer [Padraic Joyce] likes to play football the same way we do. It can be physical but it's fair. Today we got it.

"They got it in the important one last year, and we may see each other again [this year]."

Galway came into the game knowing that a draw would guarantee them top spot and a day off next week weekend.

They had beaten Armagh in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final, as well as their league meeting at the Athletic Ground in March.

But manager Padraic Joyce had no complaints about the result.

"Hats off to Armagh. I think they controlled the game better in the second half than what we did. Our