All-Ireland SFC semi-finals:Crossmaglen and Garrycastle will meet in the All-Ireland club senior football final on St Patrick's Day after negotiating their semi-finals in Portlaoise and Longford, respectively, this afternoon.
Cross were seven points down to Kerry’s Dr Crokes at one stage, having been slow to start and hurt by Daithi Casey’s fisted goal in the 21st minute goal. However, they fought back with three goals of their own and even survived the sending of off Stephen Kernan to reach a seventh national final.
Michael McNamee began the revival when he netted four minutes after Casey and Oisin McConville closed the gap to two before the break.
Stephen Kernan put the Armagh men in the lead early in the second half when he crashed one in off the post and Cross moved into a four-point lead before the goalscorer was sent off for an off the ball incident.
Eoin Brosnan broguht Crokes to within three and Chris Brady came off the bench to level the scores with a goal just before the hour, but Aaron Kernan halted the Kerry side’s momentum with a calmly taken goal with six minutes to go. That was to prove the winning margin.
In Longford, Roscommon’s St Brigid’s, beaten by Crossmaglen in last year's final, fell two points short of Garrycastle.
The Westmeath side raced into a three-point lead but were reeled in through scores from Cathal McHugh and Senan Kilbride, before a penalty from Karl Mannion sent Brigid’s into the lead.
Dessie Dolan drew Garrycastle level with a couple of scores but Brigid’s struck back and their lead was two at halftime.
A tight opening to the second period was ended by a James Dolan goal that gave Garrycastle the advantage. Dessie Dolan took his tally to six as they moved four clear and though the gap was closed to two, Garrycastle held on to claim their place in the final.
All-Ireland SFC semi-finals
Crossmaglen Rangers 3-08 Dr Crokes 2-08
Garrycastle 1-11 St Brigid's 1-09