Armagh SFC Final: Crossmaglen Rangers edge out Killeavy

Armagh SFC Final

Crossmaglen Rangers 1-19 Killeavy 0-17

By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds

Crossmaglen Rangers were pushed all the way by south Armagh rivals Killeavy, but they showed enough composure and class to see the game out to claim a record breaking 48 Armagh Senior Club Championship titles, with captain Callum Cumiskey lifting the Gerry Fegan Cup.

Pearse Blessing's goal on 47 minutes was the turning point in a game that had little to choose between the sides.

Of course, Rangers had Armagh stars such as the O’Neill brothers of Oisin, Rian and Aaron and their cousin Cian McConville, but it was the young guns Pearse Blessing, Aaron Haughey, Harry Cumiskey, Odhran Caraher and Keelan McEntee that came to the fore as Crossmaglen had six championship final debutants.

Of course, it was all new for Killeavy too who last won the senior championship title 78-years ago but there was no sign of nervousness as they got off to a stunning start in Sunday’s final played in Armagh’s Box-IT Athletic Grounds as Callum O’Hare stroked over a two-pointer to set his side on their way.

Cian McConville had already opened the scoring, but Killeavy responded with the next six points from the lively Fergal Boylan, Ciaron O’Hanlon and goalkeeper Shea Magill on target. Stevie McDonnnell’s men were on top, but Crossmaglen hit back with O’Neill brothers Aaron and Oisin doing the needful points before cousin Cian McConville, who had a great battle with Conor Magennis, tagged on another score.

Rian O’Neill made a great dummy run and as the chasing pack followed, his brother Oisin welcomed the space left as he fired over a classy two-pointer. Oisin and Harry Cumiskey stretched Crossmaglen’s lead, but Killeavy finished the half strongly with Gareth Murphy and then Conor O’Neill making it only a two-point game at the break.

Goalkeeper Magill, Ciaron O’Hanlon and Cathal Boylan put Killeavy ahead, but Crossmaglen were making headway and captain Callum Cumiskey was unlucky to strike the post but Blessing made no mistake when he had the chance on 47 minutes with a fine finish into the Killeavy net, to ensure an enthralling final ten minutes.

Young Keelan McEntee and Pearse Blessing edged Cross further ahead before Fergal Boylan’s shot made it a three-point game with as many minutes remaining of normal time. By that stage it looked as it was Crossmaglen’s to lose and in fact, they pushed on to finish comfortable enough winners, yet knowing that had been in a battle.

Scorers for Crossmaglen: Oisin O’Neill 0-6 (1tp, 2fs), Pearse Blessing 1-04 (2tp), Cian McConville 0-3 (1f), Aaron O’Neill 0-2 (1f), Keelan McEntee 0-2, Harry Cumiskey 0-1, Odhran Caraher 0-1.

Scorers for Killeavy: Ciaron O’Hanlon 0-3 (1tp), Shea Magill 0-4 (2tpf), Fergal Boylan 0-4 (2tp), Callum O’Hare 0-2 (1tp), Gareth Murphy 0-1, Conor O’Neill 0-1, Aaron Magennis 0-1, Cathal Boylan 0-1.

Crossmaglen Rangers: Miceal Murray, Ryan Martin, Caolan Dillon, Christopher Crowley, Odhran Caraher, Callum Cumiskey, Harry Cumiskey, Stephen Morris, Pearse Blessing, Aaron Haughey, Oisin O’Neill, Eugene McEntee, Cian McConville, Aaron O’Neill, Rian O’Neill.

Subs: Kealan McEntee for C Dillon (51), Paudie Studdard for E McEntee (53’).

Killeavy: Shea Magill, Conor Magennis, Kyle Mallon, Callum O’Hare, Lee Rice, Gareth Murphy, Cathair McKinney, Euan Boyd, Cathal Boylan, Conor O’Neill, Kealan McDonnell, Ciaron O’Hanlon, Fergal Boylan, Ronan McGuinness, Aaron McGuinness.

Subs: Tiarnan Brown for Ronan McGuinness (39’), (40’), Niall McGuinness for K McDonnell (45’).