Jamie Clarke responds to speculation that he left Armagh because of rift with Kieran McGeeney

Former Armagh star Jamie Clarke has cleared up why he chose to leave the Orchard County.

Clarke revealed to the Irish Examiner last week that he is moving to New York to pursue a career in marketing. This caused the rumour mill to go into overdrive with speculation that other factors may have figured into his decision. There were suggestions that a supposed feud with under-fire Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney was a factor in Clarke's departure. Sunday Game pundit Joe Brolly tore into McGeeney following Armagh’s Ulster SFC semi-final loss to Cavan last weekend. He claimed that the majority of Crossmaglen players, Clarke's club, had no desire to play for McGeeney which could be undermining the county's chance for success. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/737187549286936576 However, Clarke has since issued a statement confirming that McGeeney didn't play any role in his decision to leave the set-up and move stateside. He stated that he wants to pursue his other goals outside of football which require a move abroad. He added that he had these ambitions before McGeeney entered the Armagh set-up and that he fully supports what the Armagh boss is trying to achieve with the county side. https://twitter.com/Armagh_GAA/status/738747102310879233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw