Football

Newry City mid-week debut ruled Jamie Clarke out of Crossmaglen Armagh Championship opener

Cian McConville scored five points for Crossmaglen against Silverbridge on Sunday. Picture: Seamus Loughran.
Cian McConville scored five points for Crossmaglen against Silverbridge on Sunday. Picture: Seamus Loughran. Cian McConville scored five points for Crossmaglen against Silverbridge on Sunday. Picture: Seamus Loughran.

JAMIE Clarke fell foul of Crossmaglen Rangers’ seven-day rule by playing for Newry City last Tuesday night and it is understood that is why he played no part in Crossmaglen’s dramatic comeback win over Silverbridge Harps in the Armagh Senior Football Championship on Sunday.

The Irish News understands that Clarke – who was with his Crossmaglen team-mates at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday but not togged out – trained with his native club on Thursday and Friday but was then told that he would not be involved in the championship first round game at the Athletic Grounds.

The former Armagh and New York forward signed with Newry City this season, making his debut against Linfield and his first start against Dollingstown in the Mid-Ulster Cup last Tuesday.

Prior to the start of the soccer season, he told the Irish News: “Stephen [Kernan] was very good when I was looking at this especially with Cross and the championship coming up. For now, that’s the priority. 

“With Newry, it’s a long Premiership season. Soccer is something I’ve always wanted to do and to give it a proper rattle.

“I’m feeling fit and sharp and I think it’s about balancing both codes and living an elite athlete’s lifestyle, watching what I’m eating, training well, recovering well.”

After his debut against David Healy’s Blues, Clarke said he was looking forward to the cut and thrust of the Orchard county championship.

“I’m training away with Cross, I’ve 20 weeks under my belt in training,” he said.

“Things have been going well, I’m feeling very fit and sharp and I’ll put a focus on Cross when the championship comes around.”

Had he been deemed eligible to play last Sunday, Clarke – who has trained with the club and featured in league games - would almost certainly have seen action for Cross. After Pauric Keating netted Silverbridge’s second goal behind midway through the second half, Stephen Kernan’s side found themselves five points and staring down the barrel of defeat. But Crossmaglen then seized the momentum and mounted a characteristic comeback that saw them win by five points.

“I have to give a special mention to Stephen Morris because he got three or four marks in midfield for us and that is great leadership,” said manager Kernan.

“And he was doing it against a good midfield – Peter Carragher would be a real stalwart for Silverbridge and Jarly Og (Burns) was around there. Stephen caught five marks in the second half which was outstanding and I would be very happy with how we made the comeback.

“We didn’t all sit back and say: ‘Let’s stifle their attack and hit them on the counter’ we continued to do our thing. Daniel Cumiskey came on and kicked a fantastic point and then Cian McConville moved out to half-forward and hit Caolan Finnegan from 40-odd yards for our goal.

“That’s trademark Crossmaglen play and we’d be very happy with that but at the same time we’re not losing the run of ourselves.”

Reigning champions Clann Eireann exited the championship race on Sunday. The Lurgan outfit lost out to Mullaghbawn while Armagh Harps (champions in 2017) were beaten by 2020 champions Maghery. Crossmaglen can now begin to prepare for a quarter-final clash with south Armagh neighbours Dromintee (eight-point winners over Sarsfields).

After coming through an almighty scare against Silverbridge on Sunday, Cross once again demonstrated their spirit and reserves of composure and Kernan said: “There’s a lot of work still to be done”.

He added: “There’ll be nobody complacent for the next one and that’s where you want to be in terms of football.”