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New Armagh football boss Paul Grimley has dropped 14 players in a clear-out of the 2012 championship panel.

The players to make way include 2003 All-Ireland finalist Andy Mallon, Malachy Mackin, Micheal O'Rourke, Billy Joe Padden and Anto Duffy.

Grimley has brought in 12 new players, including Crossmaglen Rangers pair Paul McKeown and Stephen Finnegan.

Grimley told the Irish Independent that Armagh have been "drifting too long" and that "change is needed".

He added: "Some of the lads gone have been injured in recent seasons, others have lost form.

"In Andy Mallon's case, he's living in Dublin now, has a young family and he's a player we will probably revisit in February or March.

"I'll be willing to cut some of the younger players some slack - it will take time to blood some of them.

"But the older players won't have the same time , they need to step up."

The inclusion of McKeown and Finnegan brings up Crossmaglen's squad contingent to seven with Jamie Clarke, Aaron Kernan, Tony Kernan, James Morgan and Johnny Hanratty also involved.

Grimley took charge in July after Armagh's surprise qualifier defeat by Roscommon.