Crossmaglen Rangers 2-19 Garrycastle 1-7: "CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS don't do second chances," a buoyant joint-manager Tony McEntee stated in the aftermath of his side's outstanding display at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday evening when they hammered Westmeath and Leinster champions Garrycastle by an unflattering 15-point margin, thereby retaining the Andy Merrigan Cup.
This chilling statement neatly summed up what was a very disappointing encounter from a neutral’s perspective, as there was never the possibility of a replication of the thrilling draw witnessed in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day, with Crossmaglen ruthlessly making the Westmeath champions rue letting a five-point lead slip two weeks earlier.
This time round, the Armagh men overwhelmed Garrycastle with a stunning first-half display, anchored by two goals from full forward Francis Hanratty.
The first came as early as the fifth minute following a clever interchange of passes with Jamie Clarke, and the second after a trademark run from defence by Aaron Kernan, some 13 minutes later.
The latter’s brother, Stephen – who scored three classy points as the game progressed, following his return from suspension – could have been forgiven for preparing his post-match cup acceptance speech at that juncture, despite the usual excellence from Dessie Dolan at the other end.
Crossmaglen deservedly led by 2-8 to 0-4 at the break, but Garrycastle briefly threatened a comeback when Gary Dolan goaled within four minutes of the restart.
However, Crossmaglen simply clicked into another gear and a sixth crown was garnered with a string of brilliantly taken points from a wide range of players.
Indeed, McEntee and Gareth O’Neill took the opportunity to take off some key players and have them accorded standing ovations.
The loudest of these came in the 58th minute when Oisín McConville, who has started all six finals won by the Armagh men since 1997, was given a rapturous reception having scored six points (four from play) in a superb display.
For his part, Garrycastle manager Anthony Cunningham, who can now concentrate exclusively on his Galway senior hurling commitments, had “no complaints” in the aftermath of a bitterly disappointing end to a glittering three years in charge of the Westmeath standard-bearers.
“As always, these lads gave us everything, but Crossmaglen were that bit special today,” Cunningham graciously stated .
CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS: P Hearty; P McKeown, P Kernan, J Morgan; D O’Callaghan, A Kernan (0-3, 0-2 frees), S Finnegan; J Hanratty (0-1), D McKenna; S Kernan (0-3), T Kernan (0-1), A Cunningham (0-2); J Clarke (0-1), F Hanratty (2-1), O McConville (0-6, 0-2 frees). Subs: M McNamee for F Hanratty (41 mins), M Aherne for T Kernan (41 mins), K Carragher (0-1) for Cunningham (50 mins), G Carragher for P Kernan (inj, 52 mins), K Brennan for McConville (58 mins).
GARRYCASTLE: C Mullin; E Mulvihill, J Gaffey, M McCallon; K Henson, D Harte, T McHugh; S O’Donoghue, D O’Shaughnessy (0-1, free); P Dillon, P Mulvihill, J Dolan; J Duignan, G Dolan (1-0), D Dolan (0-3, 0-1 free). Subs: A Fox for McHugh (24 mins), A Browne for Duignan (26 mins), C Cosgrove (0-3, frees) for Henson (half-time), J O’Shaughnessy for E Mulvihill (50 mins).
Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo).
