Cormac Leonard Armagh Senior Football Championship semi-finals: Crossmaglen Rangers v Killeavy (tonight, the Athletic Grounds, 5.30pm)
CROSSMAGLEN began the season as reigning county champions the last time Killeavy won Armagh football’s biggest prize.
That was way back in 1948 and in the intervening 72 years since Killeavy’s 2-4 to 0-3 victory over Lurgan’s St Peter’s, Cross have landed 31 titles, including 21 of the last 24.
Meanwhile, Killeavy haven’t been in a senior final since 1988 and they go into tomorrow’s semi-final as underdogs in most quarters. And you can understand why because to go along with their intimidating history, Crossmaglen field county stars in the skilful and experienced Kernan brothers, Tony and Aaron, the powerful O’Neill brothers, Rian and Oisin, and the county class of defenders James Morgan and Paul Hughes. Up front, Cian McConville, son of former Armagh star Jim, continues to develop into a reliable finisher.
Critics will say: ‘Sure they’ve beaten nobody yet’ to get to this stage but Steven Kernan’s side can only play the opposition that’s put in front of them and they had little trouble getting past south-Armagh rivals Silverbridge before mauling Mullaghbawn 4-18 to 0-9.
Meanwhile, Killeavy had to dip deep to get past Grange in their opening game after it went to extra-time but then produced a very impressive second half display to see off 2017 county champions Armagh Harps at the quarter-final stage.
Killeavy manager Neil Coulter spent two seasons in the management team with his native Burren and won a Down championship in 2018. He’s also had success with the St Mary’s club’s minors, taking them to an Ulster title last year before deciding to sample a new experience across the county line.
Coulter may be new to Armagh football but of course he’s well aware of Crossmaglen’s reputation.
“They are one of the top teams in Ulster,” he said.
“It’s not going to be easy but we’re a young side and the boys are looking forward to the challenge. They want to challenge themselves against the best.
“We knew there were only three teams we could have got in the semi-final draw and we happened to get Crossmaglen and we’ve prepared well for them, training has been going well.
“We’re under no illusions, we’re up against a tough, tough, experienced team and we’re a very young side but we’ve nothing to lose. We’ll go out and give it a go.”
The sides met last Sunday in a dress-rehearsal league game. Both made wholesale changes as the managers kept their cards close to their chests and although Cross came out on top, neither camp will have been able to take anything from the game.
Coulter will be without skipper Cathal Boylan tomorrow. He is sidelined with a knee injury and former Armagh star Ciaran O’Hanlon has been out of action with a hamstring injury since the semi-final win.
His Killeavy side doesn’t boast the household names Crossmaglen can field but there’s no shortage of talent and most of the 15 players who started against Armagh Harps had played for the Orchard county at underage level.
“We’re in a semi-final and we’re in bonus territory,” said Coulter.
“But these boys are more than capable. I look at the Burren boys and the Killeavy boys and there’s not a whole pile of difference between them.
“Anything can happen on the day and we’re looking forward to it, we’ve prepared well and that’s all we can do.”
Against Armagh Harps, Killeavy’s forward line was sharp and efficient. They made the most out of the ball that came into them and they’ll need to do the same again tomorrow. The Harps left too much space in their own half of the field and Cross could look to plug those gaps but sweeper-systems are not their way and an entertaining game of football should be in store.
There are spells in some games when Crossmaglen can look ordinary and if Killeavy exploit them an upset is possible. But, on the flip side, Cross are capable of cutting lose and producing a devastating match-winning salvo when it really matters. That ability and the experience in their ranks makes the Rangers favourites tomorrow but Killeavy won’t go down without a fight.
