The uncompromising and vibrant nature of Ulster championship football does not end in late summer. Armagh champions, Crossmaglen Rangers, and St John's of Antrim revealed few thrills on a sodden Clones pitch but their approach was do-or-die, as exemplified by bookings to eight players and several warnings.

The many free kicks, including 27 in the first half, and greasy surface spoilt any hopes of a free-flowing game. Man of the match, Jim McConville, said: "It was tough, but the prize is big and nobody on either side was prepared to step back."

Gearoid Adams, son of the Sinn Fein leader Gerry, moved swiftly from wing back to score an inspiring fifth point for St John's to level the scores at the interval.

McConville, whose brother Oisin contributed six points of the 1-10 that were scored by placed kicks, started the second-half Crossmaglen onslaught by cracking the ball off a post in the opening minute of the restart.

Less than two minutes later Cathal Short rounded Mark Bohill and shot into the roof of the net.

Short was also involved in Crossmaglen's other two goals. He was fouled in the square, enabling Jim McConville to display his penalty kicking skills, and he set up substitute Michael Morley for a goal.

James Murphy curbed Crossmaglen's expected dominance in the midfield. Anthony Cunningham and the towering John McEntee got nothing soft and struggled for long periods.

Donal Murtagh and Francie Bellew were the linchpins in the Crossmaglen defence.

Crossmaglen's joint manager, Jo Kernan, fondly remembered by Armagh followers for his display in the 1977 All-Ireland final against Dublin, said: "We would have to play much better to beat Bellaghy in the final."

CROSSMAGLEN: P Hearty; M Califf, D Mur tagh, C Dooley; F Shields (0-1), F Bellew, G McShane; J McEntee, A Cunningham (0-1); O McEntee, C O'Neill, O McConville (0-6, frees); J McConville (1-0, pen), G Cumiskey, C Short (1-2). Subs: M Moley (1-0) for Cumiskey (36 mins), J Fitzpatrick for Shields (41 mins), K Donnelly for O McEntee (55 mins).

ST JOHN'S: B McNulty; L McCrudy, M Bohill, M O'Neill; G Adams (0-1), J Kelly, C Anderson; J Murphy, G Heaney (0-1); E McAtamney (0- 4, frees), J Wilson (0-1), D Swail; A McGowan, B Macken, D Kennedy. Subs: E McKenna (0-2, 1 free) for Macken (31 mins), C McKnight (0-1) for McAtampey (55 mins), P Nolan (0-1) for Heaney (44 mins).

Referee: M McBrien (Fermanagh).