Armagh SFC Final

Crossmaglen Rangers 2-16 Clan na Gael 1-7

By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds

Crossmaglen Rangers romped to their 47th Armagh Senior Club championship title with 12 points to spare over rivals Clan na Gael.

Crossmaglen controlled the second half with an impressive display to spoil the Lurgan Blues’ 100th party.

Micheal McConville’s goal on 25 minutes put Clan na Gael on the front foot, it was a clever touch from county man Shane McPartlan to set him up.

McPartlan, Sean Mackle and Stefan Campbell were all on target as the Gaels led 1-4 to 0-6 at the break. Oisin O’Neill, Paul Hughes, Rian O’Neill (frees) and Cian McConville (frees) had registered scores for Cross.

A black card for Ciaran Campbell early the second half left the Lurgan side with 14 men and Cross got to work. Stephen Morris, Rico Kelly and Man of the Match Paul Hughes brought Crossmaglen’s reply to seven points in a row before Mattie Lennon replied for Clan na Gael.

Still, Cross grew in confidence and Rian O’Neill’s 70-metre free and then points from cousin Cian McConville and another from former captain Morris had Rangers cruising and they kept their foot on the gas.

Thomas Og Duffy was fouled in the square and captain Jamie Clarke made no mistake from the penalty with a tidy finish to give his side an eight-point lead with just under 10 minutes still to play.

Clan na Gael kept trying but Rian O’Neill was comfortable under the high ball in defence while McConville and Co tapped over at the other end. The game went into additional time as substitute Ronan Fitzpatrick bagged a great goal to wrap up back-to-back championship titles for Crossmaglen.

Clarke lifted the Gerry Fegan Cup and insists that Cross have more to offer ahead of their Ulster Championship clash against the Tyrone champions in Healy Park on Saturday, November 11.

Crossmaglen Rangers: Miceal Murray, Orin McKeown, Rico Kelly (0-01), Thomas Og Duffy, Aaron Kernan, Callum Cumiskey, Chris Crowley, Stephen Morris (0-02), Oisin O’Neill (0-01), Paul Hughes (0-03, 0-1 mark’), Daniel Cumiskey, Odhran Kieran, Jamie Clarke (1-00 pen), Rian O’Neill (0-03, 0-3 frees), Cian McConville (0-05, 0-4 frees).

Subs: Aaron O’Neill for D Cumiskey (ht’), Ronan Fitzpatrick (1-01) for O Kieran (53’), Colin O’Connor for Hughes (58’), Odhran Caraher for O McKeown (60’),

Clan na Gael: Ryan Conway, Sam McClamon, Aaron McCreanor, Jack Lavery, Niall Loney, Michael McConville (1-00), Jamie Brady, Diarmuid O’Hagan, Shane McPartlan (0-02), Sean Mackle (0-01), Niall Henderson, Callum O’Neill, Malachi Ward, Stefan Campbell (0-02, 0-2 frees), Ciaran McCampbell.

Subs: Brendan O’Hagan for N Loney (42’), Mattie Lennon (0-01) for C Campbell (43’), James Austin for M Ward (49’), Diarmuid Loney (0-01) for J Brady (54’).

Referee: Enda Mallon (Madden).