Rian O’Neill: Oisin McConville expects nephew to return to Armagh squad ‘sooner rather than later’

McConville framed O’Neill’s decision in the wider context of stars such as David Clifford, Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion opting to take breaks from the inter-county game.

McCaffrey and Mannion both stepped away from the Dublin squad for lengthy periods before recommitting while Kerry’s Clifford has sat out the early rounds of the Football League in recent seasons and wasn’t set to play in Sunday’s scheduled opener against Donegal which was postponed.

“There are quite a few lads who are stepping away, taking a break, retiring too early,” added McConville.

“If you look at Clifford, him and Rian are very, very similar in profile, ability and the fact that they probably do have a lot of focus and attention on them and it’s up to you how you deal with that.”

McConville also backed Kieran McGeeney’s support for O’Neill in allowing him to take some time out.

“The game that we play, we’re under no illusions about how much commitment it takes to play this game. Plus the fact that it’s amateur.

“There are other strands to life. Whether you want to take a break, whether you want to walk away, that is entirely your choice. And the fact that Geezer [McGeeney] has given him the freedom to do that is a positive from his point of view.”