BEN Crealey knew he was taking a risk by putting himself in the frame for a first appearance during Maghery’s championship charge – but it was one that paid off spectacularly at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday.
Just seven weeks after undergoing surgery on a broken collarbone, the towering midfielder had all but ruled out playing any part as Finnian Moriarty’s side prepared for an Armagh final showdown with Crossmaglen.
Indeed, earlier this month Crealey said he didn’t think he would be back “unless there’s a miracle”. Well, in that case one occurred at around 4.45pm on Sunday when he ran onto the field after half-time, immediately helping turn the tide in Maghery’s favour.
“I told Finn on Thursday night I’d throw my name in the hat and if I came on, I came on,” said Crealey, pain etched on his face as he removed a plaster from the scar left from surgery.
“Tuesday night was the first time I was able to do a pain-free press-up. It was always a risk coming in, the physio had me well warned if this goes again, it could potentially affect your football career.
“I knew the risk, but thankfully it paid off.”
With Rian O’Neill dominating the skies for Crossmaglen in the first half, Moriarty brought Crealey into the fray sooner than he had hoped. It proved a major turning point.
Within 12 minutes the Maghery super-sub had a hand in 1-2 as the Loughshore men moved into a 3-7 to 0-13 lead, winning possession before finding man-of-the-match Aidan Forker with the perfect pass for that crucial third goal.
“That’s all I had in my head - come on and win a few important kick-outs and thankfully I did that.
“I always know if I get the ball around the middle, Aidan’s going to be around the 45 for a kick pass. Sometimes I don’t even have to look for him, I know he’s going to be there and that paid off two or three times in the second half, put us on the front foot and got us out from the back.
“Aidan always wants to drive forward and take on his man. Today he brought the goods and I’m really happy for him and happy we got over the line.”
It was clear from the celebrations that followed exactly what Sunday’s victory meant to the Maghery players and supporters.
Landing the Gerry Fegan Cup for the first time in 2016 was a moment to savour, but the fact they had beaten Cross in the final this time around – the south Armagh side’s first defeat in a county decider since 1982 – added an extra level of gloss.
“I would say it is, yeah,” said Crealey when asked if this success was sweeter than four years ago.
“I didn’t think we were going to be playing at all this year because of coronavirus, and then now with a potentially season-ending injury that needed surgery… up until three or four days ago I didn’t think I was going to be playing, so personally it’s sweeter and then for the team, I would say it is too just because we were wrote off all year.
“Everybody thought this team’s finished, so it’s nice to prove people wrong. No disrespect to Crossmaglen, but it’s a sweet feeling beating them in the final as well. Not a lot of teams do it.
“We’d like to have brought the experience of having already been in Ulster into this year, but obviously circumstances dictate otherwise. It’s not going to take away from today, we’re not thinking much past this.”
