Clann Éireann 2-12 Crossmaglen Rangers 0-16
In one of the most remarkable Armagh senior football championship finals for many years, Lurgan side Clann Éireann staged a stunning comeback from a seemingly hopeless position to squeeze out their more illustrious opponents Crossmaglen at the Athletic Grounds.
With the sides having been deadlocked at 0-5 each at half-time, it was Crossmaglen, inspired by the O’Neill brothers and Cian McConville, who seized the initiative after the break to glide into a seemingly unassailable 0-11 to 0-5 lead.
But with ace marksman Conor Turbitt leading a spectacular Clann Éireann revival – he landed eight points in all – Rangers were rocked back on their heels when substitute Ruairí McDonald thundered a great drive to their net in the 49th minute.
At 0-12 to 1-9 the match was back in the melting pot but the sporting gods were to smile on Clann Éireann when another substitute Jack Conlon saw his harmless-looking speculative effort in the 59th minute graze the post and trickle over the line for the most unlikely of goals.
At 2-10 to 0-15 Clann Éireann were back in business and a further brace of Turbitt points transported the side into a sporting heaven.
CLANN ÉIREANN: E Mulholland; C O'Carroll, B McCambridge, D Leatham; S McCarthy, S Heffron, A Kelly; C Bell, T Kelly (0-2); D Magee, R Henderson (0-1), C McConville; R McDonald (1-0); C Turbitt (0-8, five frees, one 45), A McConville.
Subs: R McDonald for C Bell (39), J Conlon (1-1) for A McConville (39), P McKenna for D Magee (53).
CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS: T McConville; P Stuttard, C Dillon, P Hughes; A Kernan, J Morgan (0-1), T O'Callaghan; S Morris, R O'Neill (0-5, one free); C Cumiskey (0-2), O O'Neill (0-2), T Kernan (0-1); D O'Callaghan (0-2), C McConville (0-2, two frees), C Finnegan.
Subs: T Óg Duffy (0-1) for T O'Callaghan (half-time).
Referee: Oliver Hearty (Belleeks).
