Crossmaglen win 11th Ulster crown in superb finale

It was Crossmaglen whose cuteness shone through when it was needed most.

Crossmaglen win 11th Ulster crown in superb finale

By John Fogarty

Crossmaglen Rangers 2-17 Scotstown 2-12 (after extra-time)

For over 80 minutes, the 8,694 Athletics Ground attendance were treated to a superb spectacle that belied the rain and wind that threatened to make it a damp squib.

Darren Hughes may have been on the losing team and suffered the indignity of joining his brother Kieran in being red carded but he should be anything but unbowed after giving a performance in defeat that will last long in Scotstown GAA history.

But it was Crossmaglen whose cuteness shone through when it was needed most to win their 11th Ulster title.

The game turned in less than 60 seconds, four minutes into the second 10-minute period. After David McKenna pointed, Crossmaglen were alert to a quick Scotstown kick-out and Jamie Clarke was on hand to lay off a goal chance for Kyle Carragher to put away, putting them five points ahead.

Another Crossmaglen point followed before Brian McGinnity exposed a mistake in their back-line to goal for Scotstown. However, Kernans, Tony and Aaron, each pointed late to ensure this side added another chapter to Crossmaglen’s already heaving tome of success.

Crossmaglen Rangers captain Paul Hearty lifts the cup. Photo: Philip Fitzpatrick / SPORTSFILE
Crossmaglen Rangers captain Paul Hearty lifts the cup. Photo: Philip Fitzpatrick / SPORTSFILE

It looked to be beyond them at the end of normal time when Rory Beggan stepped up to take a 50-metre free but it fell short. Kieran Hughes did manage to keep it in play, palming it into the penalty area, but a Crossmaglen free was called and full-time was blown.

Darren Hughes and Tony Kernan traded first-half goals as Crossmaglen took a 1-6 to 1-3 half-time lead.

However Crossmaglen had been living dangerously for most of the second half and weren’t aided when substitute Danny O’Callaghan was red carded in the 55th minute after striking James Turley, although the pair had been sparking off one another before the incident.

Yet it was the 14-men who then went ahead when Tony Kernan pointed a free after Darren Hughes was adjudged to have brought down James Morgan; Morgan who had found Hughes so difficult to negate for the majority of the fare. But Scotstown were quickly back on level terms when Shane Carey earned and converted a free.

1-10 apiece was how the sides finished after regulation time. But there was plenty more drama to come.

Teams and Scorers

Scorers for Crossmaglen Rangers: T Kernan (1-6, 0-5 frees); K Carragher (1-2); J Murtagh (0-3); M McNamee, S Kernan, C Cumiskey, D McKenna, P Studard, A Kernan (free) (0-1 each).

Scorers for Scotstown: S Carey (0-6, 5 frees); D Hughes, B McGinnity (1-0 each); C McCarthy (0-2, 1 free); R Beggan (45), O Heaphey, D Morgan, E Caulfield (0-1 each).

CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS: P Hearty; P McKeown, J Morgan, P Hughes; A Kernan, M Aherne, A Rushe; J Hanratty, R Kelly; S Kernan, M McNamee, T Kernan; K Carragher, J Murtagh, O O’Neill.

Subs for Crossmaglen Rangers: D McKenna for J Hanratty (h-t); S Finnegan for A Rushe (37); J Clarke for O O’Neill (40); C Cumiskey for R Kelly (45); D O’Callaghan for M Aherne (51); A Cunningham for M McNamee (54); G Carragher for Cunningham, P Studard for O’Callaghan (both f-t); K Brennan for J Murtagh (h-t, e-t); D McConville for S Kernan (75); Cunningham for Carragher (76).

Red cards: D O’Callaghan (straight, 55), J Morgan (second yellow, 80+2).

SCOTSTOWN: R Beggan; M Duffy, K Hughes, P Keenan; E Caulfield, D McArdle, F McPhillips; F Caulfield, J Turley; D Morgan, S Carey, R McKenna; C McCarthy, D Hughes, O Heaphey.

Subs for Scotstown: B Boylan for F McPhillips (30+1); D McCague for R McKenna (43); B McGinnity for O Heaphey (49); B McMeel for E Caulfield (76); D McNally for D McArdle (79).

Red cards: K Hughes (straight, 65); D Hughes (straight, 80+2).

Referee: B Cassidy (Derry).

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