Armagh SFC Final

Clann Eireann 2-12 Crossmaglen Rangers 0-16

By Steve Malone at the Athletic Grounds

Clann Eireann ended 58-years of hurt to take Gerry Fegan Cup home after a thrilling late finish to clinch the Armagh Senior Club Championship.

It was dramatic contest played with the gloves off and both sides going gung-ho and Clann Eireann were rewarded for their bravery in the final quarter.

Crossmaglen were ahead by six points and looked to be cruising towards a 46th senior club championship victory, but the Lurgan men wrote their own script on Sunday with a stunning smash and grab victory.

Armagh’s Conor Turbitt struck a remarkable eight points, but it was the super subs Ruairi McDonald and Jack Conlon who rattled home two goals in the last ten minutes to turn the game around.

And you can’t say they didn’t deserve it, but they enjoyed their fair slice of luck, especially with Conlon’s goal. Ruairi McDonald’s 50th-minute goal was direct to level the score, having trailed by six points. But Rangers looked to have done enough to eek out another championship title win when county men James Morgan, Rian and Oisin O’Neill all chipped over late points. But that was turned upside down when Conlon’s long ball, on 59 minutes, into the square caught the Rangers defence in a muddle and the shot hit the underside of the crossbar to settle into the net.

Importantly they edged in front and further points from Turbitt ensured the Gerry Fegan Cup returned back to his native Clann Eireann.

Crossmaglen will be hurting, they had looked to have done enough, with Kernan brothers Aaron and Tony, O’Neill brothers Oisin and Rian, Callum Cumiskey, Caolan Finnegan and Dara O’Callaghan impressing. The sides were level 0-05 each at half-time. Turbit and Kelly were on target for Clann Eireann, Cumiskey, Cian McConville and Rian O’Neill hit back for Cross.

But it was in the third quarter when Rangers flexed their muscle and posted a six-point lead with Tony Kernan, Thomas Og Duffy, Dara O’ Callaghan, Oisin O’Neil, Rian O’Neill and Cian McConville all on target. But it wasn’t to be for the south Armagh men, instead the title goes to the north of the county, where they face the Antrim champions in the Ulster championship in December.

CLANN EIREANN: Eoghan Mulholland, Conan O’Carroll, Barry McCambridge, Declan Leatham, Sean McCarthy, Shea Heffron, Adam Kelly (0-02), Conor Bell, Tiernan Kelly, Daniel Magee, Ryan Henderson (0-01), Dan McCarthy, Conor Turbitt (0-08, 0-1 45’, 0-1 mark, 0-1 free), Aodhan McConville.

Subs used: Ruairi McDonald (1-00) for Bell (39’), Jack Conlon (1-01) for A McConville (39’) Paul McKenna for D Magee (54’).

CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS: Tiernan McConville, Paudie Stuttard, Caolan Dillon, Paul Hughes, Aaron Kernan, James Morgan (0-01), Tony O’Callaghan, Stephen Morris, Rian O’Neill (0-05, 0-02 frees), Callum Cumiskey (0-02), Oisin O’Neill (0-02), Tony Kernan (0-01), Dan O’Callaghan (0-02), Cian McConville (0-02, 0-2 frees), Caolan Finnegan.

Subs used: Thomas Og Duffy for T O’Callaghan (ht’).

Referee: Ollie Hearty (Belleek).