Lurgan side Clann Eireann reached a new high in terms of skill, courage and conviction when they overcame Crossmaglen Rangers by 1-11 to 0-10 in the second Semi-Final of the Armagh Senior Football Championship on Sunday.
A year which has shown much promise both on a personal and collective basis may yet deliver the ultimate honour in the Orchard County when they meet their next door neighbours Clan na Gael in the Final.
There may have been an element of touch and go to Clann Eireann’s display on this occasion but the immense input of their county squad triumvirate — Conor Turbitt, Barry McCambridge and Tiernan Kelly — coupled with an unrelenting team pride and indomitable passion brought them to the cusp of the ultimate glory.
In lowering the colours of Crossmaglen Rangers, Clann Eireann defied the odds and sounded a warning that their sights are set higher.
Rangers opened at a sprightly pace with Daniel Cumiskey, Odhran Kieran and Oisin O’Neill all on target with Jack Conlon, Turbitt and Conor McConville responding for Clann Eireann.
The Lurgan side’s defence offered solid resistance from the outset and although they enjoyed a 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead, it was Adam Kelly’s goal in the opening minutes of the second-half that lent added impetus to his team’s authority.
Not surprisingly, though, the Rangers hit back with Jamie Clarke and O’Neill on target but a point from Conlon and a brace from Turbitt eased Clann Eireann into the comfort zone.
Meanwhile, Clan na Gael fended off a strong challenge from a gallant Madden side in the other Armagh Semi-Final. Having led by 0-9 to 0-4 at the interval with Stefan Campbell leading their scoring with backing from Diarmuid Loney, Callum O’Neill and Sam McLarnon, Clan na Gael conceded their early dominance and with Conor Grimley and Michael McConville keeping Madden in the hunt, the Clans side were pegged back in the second-half of extra-time before finishing with a flourish.
In the Fermanagh Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals, Enniskillen Gaels beat Ederney by 4-13 to 2-8 while Erne Gaels just managed to get the better of Derrygonnelly Harps by 0-10 to 0-9.
Meanwhile, Derry title holders Glen survived another scare at the Quarter-Final stage of the County Championship when they just managed to squeeze past Lavey by 1-11 to 0-13. In other Derry Quarter-Finals, Newbridge just got the better of Bellaghy by 0-18 to 0-14 after extra-time and Slaughtneil proved too strong for Ballinascreen in winning by 0-13 to 0-9.