THE Armagh Senior Football Championship quarter-finals begin with Ballymacnab’s clash with Annaghmore on Saturday night but, once again, Crossmaglen Rangers are the team to beat in the competition.
The defending champions – winners of the Gerry Fagan Cup for 18 of the last 19 seasons – meet Pearse Óg on Sunday and former manager Joe Kernan says: “People say ‘same old thing’ but if Cross keep winning, don’t blame Cross.
“It’s another hard one this weekend against Pearse Óg. They’ll be rising to the challenge and we’re hoping for a win but, a bit like Kilkenny, we have to go out and perform.”
There have been indications that Cross are perhaps not the force they once were but with Aaron Kernan in outstanding form, they are short odds on winning another Orchard title.
“The only way we can prove that is by performing on the pitch and if the boys perform to the standards we set for ourselves then hopefully that’ll be enough to get us over the line,” said Kernan.
“Sometimes you don’t have to play well to win but you have to work hard and Cross have always had a great work ethic and that’s what we’ll be hoping for on Sunday.”
Kernan rates Maghery – “they’ve been knocking on the door in recent years” - as potential contenders but says Cross will concentrate solely on getting their own house in order.
“In Cross all we do is worry about ourselves, the only team Cross will be thinking about is Pearse Og on Sunday and we’ll worry about the rest the next day,” he said.
Meanwhie, Ballymacnab Round Towers shouldn’t have to dig too deeply for motivation when they meet up again with Annaghmore Pearse's at the Athletic Grounds on Friday (throw-in 8.30pm).
Revenge for that shock round two defeat will be uppermost in mind and their desire will be strengthened by the return of county man Rory Grugan and Ryan Kennedy, both back from America.
In the previous encounter at the same venue, Annaghmore got off to an explosive start, Michael McConville’s first minute goal helping them take an early 1-5 to 0-1 lead. But the ’Nab regrouped commendably, outscoring their opponents 0-9 to 0-2 before the break. It looked as if the Pearses had shot their bolt only to produce a stirring second half performance and edge home 1-12 to 0-14 with the ’Nab restricted to 0-4 in the second period.
And so it was the backdoor for them and a meeting with Sarsfields which went to extra-time. It took an injury-time point from defender Chris Loughran to keep their championship hopes alive but they ran out worthy 2-16 to 1-17, the High Moss goal coming from a last minute penalty.
This will be Ballymacnab’s fourth outing in the competition, which kicked off with a 1-16 to 1-11 victory over Dromintee.
Whilst it’s a case of unchartered waters for Annaghmore who defeated Tir na nOg, 2-8 to 0–11 in the opening round, they will not be overawed by the challenge.
Their progress, despite a poor enough league season, has been noteworthy. Once again they will be depending on the MacIomhair brothers, Ciaran and Oisin and Conor Cullen to provide scores whilst the McQuades, the McCormacks, Matthew McNeice, Conor McCann and Matthew Willis have all proven credentials.
Rory Grugan’s inclusion should add a new dimension to the ’Nab approach, an intelligent playermaker who has the knack of making things happen.
The mid-Armagh representatives seemed to have better vanguard options and providing good quality supply reaches the likes of the Grugan brothers, Rory and Jack, Gavin McParland and Brian McCone, they can atone for that earlier disappointment. It was close last time and tonight could be more of the same.
