Armagh Senior Football Championship quarter-final: Crossmaglen Rangers v Armagh Harps (Saturday, Silverbridge, 5pm)
CHAMPIONSHIP clashes between the Harps and the Rangers tend to be tasty affairs. It’s town versus country and Cathedral City side Harps were Armagh’s original top dogs - they already had six championship titles in the bag before Cross beat them to win their second in the 1912 final.
By 1958, the Harps had 18 championships to their name but Cross overhauled that figure on their way to establishing themselves as high kings in the Orchard county and the defending champions are favourites to see off their old rivals in Silverbridge this weekend.
Armagh defender James Morgan hasn’t featured in the championship yet for Cross but he could return to service tonight alongside midfielder Stephen Morris, who needed plates inserted in his cheekbone following an injury against Ballymacnab.
“Cross and the Harps always had great battles down through the years,” said Rangers manager Anthony Cunningham.
“Any time I played against them, they were always huge battles and the Harps played a similar style of game to Cross. It was a hard, physical battle and there was no quarter taken or given back then.”
Fans will expect the same in this latest instalment. In Division 1A, the sides drew 2-13 apiece at Abbey Park and although Cross won comfortably on home soil in the final game of the league, the Harps had little to play for then.
“They’re a good side,” said Cunningham.
“They have big Joe McIlroy back fit and he is a huge player for them and an excellent midfielder. We all know he can score so he will be a huge asset to them. They’re an experienced side with boys like Decky McKenna and Tom O’Kane and they can all play ball. So we’re under no illusions – it’s knockout championship football, there’s no safety net so it’s winner-takes-all.”
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Because they topped their group, Crossmaglen went straight into the quarter-finals so they haven’t played a knockout game yet this season. Pascal Canavan-managed Harps have - they beat St Peter’s in the preliminary round a fortnight ago.
Cross haven’t played since they hammered neighbours Mullaghbawn by 20 points in their final group game three weeks’ ago and Cunningham says the break has allowed him to get his squad back close to full strength.
“Our intention was to finish top of the table because it allowed you those three weeks to build into the championship,” he said.
“Sometimes it benefits you to have a match, sometimes it’s better not to and we decided we wanted to finish top and use the three-week period to get boys fitter and back on the field. We’re not too far away from having a full deck so we’re not in bad shape to be fair.”
Verdict: Crossmaglen
Killeavy St Moninna v Clan na Gael (Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 5pm)
GROUP A winners Killeavy clash with the neversaydie Clans in what could be the tie of the round.
Managed by Tommy Coleman, who guided Clann Eireann to the Gerry Fegan Cup in 2021, Killeavy bounced back from losing to Maghery to edge out Ballymacnab for top spot in their group.
Meanwhile, Ronan McMahon’s Clan na Gael could yet be the surprise packets of this championship. Still unbeaten with three wins and a draw from their four outings, they have developed a handy knack of coming on strong in the closing stages. Armagh stars Shane McPartlan scored (1-5) and Stefan Campbell scored their total of 1-7 in their preliminary round win against Dromintee.
Verdict: Clan na Gael
Clann Eireann v Silverbridge (Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 7pm)
WHEN the quarter-final draw was made a fortnight ago, Silverbridge manager Colm Nally described Clann Eireann as “probably the team to beat this year” and there are plenty who would agree with that assessment.
Lurgan outfit Clann Eireann won their group with three wins out-of-three to progress to the last eight. A side packed with talented footballers is anchored by the experience of Barry McCambridge at number six and is driven by the energy and direct running of Tiernan Kelly in midfield. The spearhead of an energetic forward unit is Armagh star Conor Turbitt.
During the first half of their preliminary round game against Granemore, Silverbridge were looking dark horses for the championship. Jarly Og Burns played a part in two early goals for Tiarnan Murphy and the South Armagh men led by 10 points at the break.
It was a different story in the second half and Granemore came mighty close to a famous comeback win before time ran out on them. It was close but Silverbridge got the win and Paddy Reel was a Titan in defence for them. If Murphy, Burns and Sean Rock see enough ball, they will cause problems for the favourites.
Verdict: Clann Eireann
