Kieran McGeeney has been given permission by the Arch Bishop of Armagh to do a mass blessing of all the graves of Armagh on Saturday 14th June in Breffni Park, just before the ball is thrown in against Galway.

Fears of a poor match turnout were gathering this week after it emerged that the game coincided with the blessing of graves on many parishes across the county. Armagh is known for their fanatical support of graves and graveyards, with many supporters claiming their dearly departed loved ones would be turning in their graves had the match gone ahead with a blessing.

McGeeney, who doesn’t believe in graveyards or death, has opted to wear a small purple tunic for the blessing and will conduct the 30 second ritual in a strong Mullaghbawn dialect, closely linked to the native tongue of the Baluba tribe of Congo.

Tyrone’s Malachy O’Rourke refused to comment.