Sport

McConville leads the way

Armagh SF Final/ Crossmaglen 1-14 Clan na Gael 0-8: The status quo pertains in Armagh - for the 11th year in succession

Mon Sept 25 2006 - 01:00

Armagh SF Final/ Crossmaglen 1-14 Clan na Gael 0-8: The status quo pertains in Armagh - for the 11th year in succession. Winning county football titles has become second nature to Crossmaglen Rangers and yesterday it was much business as usual as they maintained their dominance within the county.

Oisín McConville became the latest captain to take delivery of the Gerry Fegan Cup after his team subdued the challenge of a Clan na Gael side that struggled following the 17th-minute red carding of their talisman Barry O'Hagan.

At half-time Crossmaglen led by 0-6 to 0-4 but 16 seconds into the second half they effectively ended the match when Michael McNamee slammed in the only goal of the game. From then on the creative wiles of Diarmuid Marsden and the resilience of a spirited defence failed to sustain a Clan na Gael side whose errors contributed to their downfall.

In contrast, McConville kicked five points, the McEntee twins John and Tony exerted an almost casual degree of control around the middle and Stephen Kernan contributed the subtle touches that highlighted the difference in class between the sides.

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At 1-8 to 0-6 Clan still looked to have hope but Crossmaglen cantered through the final quarter, their intelligent use of space and quick delivery posing problems for Clan.

Marsden had the not inconsiderable compensation of being awarded the man-of-the-match accolade. His four points and his clever use of possession allied to his sharp footballing brain convinced many in the 6,000 crowd he could still wield a considerable influence at a higher level should he so desire.

But it's the amalgam of old and new faces within the Crossmaglen side that will be paraded on the Ulster club championship stage with McConville making it clear his team will not be satisfied with domestic booty only.

"We will now face whoever are crowned Donegal champions in the Ulster club championship and that's one competition in which we want to make real progress" he said afterwards.

CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS: P Harty; R Carragher, F Bellew, S McNamee; A Kernan (0-3, frees), J Donaldson, B McKeown; S Kernan (0-2), T McEntee; M Aherne, J McEntee, O McConville, (0-5, four frees); J Murtagh (0-1), J Hanratty, M McNamee (1-1). Subs: P Kernan for Carragher (35 mins); T Kernan for Hanratty (38 mins); C Short (0-1) for Aherne (57 mins); J Hughes for McNamee (57 mins).

CLAN NA GAEL: S Lavery; D McAlinden, M Austin, P McKenna; T Hamill, B Campbell, Mark O'Hagan; R Austin, P Oldham; C Trainor (0-1), B O'Hagan (0-1, free), Michael O'Hagan; R O'Hara (0-1), D Marsden (0-4, frees), M Lavery. Subs: C McCaffrey (0-1) for M Lavery (15 mins); P O'Hagan for O'Hara (half-time); L McGuinness for Michael O'Hagan (56 mins).

Referee: J Slevin (Keady).

  • Séamus Moynihan will make his final appearance in a Kerry jersey when he lines out for the All-Ireland champions against South Kerry in the GOAL challenge in Tralee tonight (8pm). All proceeds at Austin Stacks Park go to the third world charity.