McConville shines as Crossmaglen reign again in Armagh

Crossmaglen Rangers 1-19 Granemore 0-10

Crossmaglen landed their 46th senior Armagh title to set up an Ulster club championship clash with Ballybay after an impressive win over Granemore.

Granemore were looking to clinch the Gerry Fegan Cup for the first time in their history and they needed everything to go their way if their underdogs status was to turn heroic, and while they can be content with their display and proud of their season, Crossmaglen were in control throughout.

Player of the match Cian McConville (0-08), Aaron Kernan, goal-scorer Caolan Finnegan, Rian O'Neill and James Morgan were exceptional as Rangers ultimately ran out comfortable winners.

O’Neill opted to play around the middle and he gleefully picked out passes to Clarke and McConville as Rangers raced ahead.

Granemore’s corner-back Cathal O’Hare bagged two early points but McConville, Paul Hughes and O’Neill sent Cross on their way.

Finnegan ran down the tunnel to get his head bandaged up and was only back on the pitch a matter of seconds when O'Neill found him with a quick free and from 35-metres out he drilled to the back of the net.

A minute later Finnegan tagged on a point after Kernan’s high press as Cross led 1-06 to 0-02.

Granemore did make headway from Ryan Rafferty’s incisive runs, but the Cross defence had him bottled up close to goal.

Marty Carr landed two points, including one from play, but Cross stretched their lead with Clarke making a superb fetch before setting up McConville who grabbed his fourth point, while Callum Cumiskey’s mark gave the Armagh kingpins a 1-09 to 0-04 interval lead.

McConville, son of All-Ireland winner Jim, converted another free, but four unanswered points from Jason O’Neill, the lively Rafferty and a beauty from Louis