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Maghery 4-09 Crossmaglen 0-17
Maghery are Armagh’s soccer champions after beating champion Crossmaglen in a fast-paced final at the Athletic Grounds this afternoon.
They say that goals win matches and Maghery chose four beauties to win the Gerry Fegan Cup.
Aidan Forker was awarded Man of the Match and it was his goal in the 39th minute that put the game in its frame and his delivery to Oisin Lappin, who scored the fourth goal, put the game out of Crossmaglen’s reach.
Crossmaglen was left without their star goalkeeper Tiarnan McConville, with Paul McEntee in position to make his first championship start of the season, while Aidan Rushe also replaced injured midfielder Stephen Morris.
The sides were level at the first water break, and it was a welcome break from a game played at full speed with Maghery taking the lead.
It was played at breakneck speed with Maghery winger Brendan Haveron firing on the first goal five minutes after his teammates cut through the cross defense.
That gave the Loughshore men a 1-01 to 0-01 lead as their county teammates Rian O’Neill and Aidan Forker had traded points. It was the O’Neill brothers who lined up in midfield and stepped into the fray when their team seemed in trouble with Oisin and Rian with the next five points from Crossmaglen.
Maghery’s Stephen Cusack impressed throughout and chipped in more than two points in the first half, but young Dara O’Callaghan responded with two good points and Tony Kernan kicked a beauty to give the defending champions a 0-09 lead at 1-03.
Oisin O’Neill stretched and brought Crossmaglen’s tally to double digits, but most eyes were on the fight that was taking place at the other end of the field, resulting in the choice of Aaron Kernan and Rian O ‘ Neill from Crossmaglen and Aidan Forker and Brian Fox from Maghery. even yellow cards.
And just as Cross was looking to get away, Brian Fox kept his cool to convert Carlow native Chris Crowley and score an impressive goal to give Maghery a huge boost at halftime (Crossmaglen 0-11 Maghery 2-03).
That was a sign of what was to come, but it was the introduction of midfielder Ben Creally that changed the game. The simplicity of his ability to catch and find a forward gave Maghery the strength they needed.
The second half goals came in the 39th and 45th minute and in between Crossmaglen was playing catch-up and with Aaron Kernan, Oisin and Rian O’Neill and captain James Morgan pushing their team on, they didn’t give up. . But Maghery handled the game wonderfully and ended up with worthy winners.
Crossmaglen: P McEntee; C Crowley, P Hughes; J Morgan, A Kernan, C Cumiskey (0-1), A Rushe; R O’Neill (0-3, 0-2 free), T O’Callaghan; T Kernan (0-2, 0-1 free), O O’Neill (0-6, 0-1 scores), C McConville (0-2, free); M Boyce, D O’Callaghan (0-2), K Carragher (0-1). Substitutes: G Carragher for Rushe (19), P Finnegan for Carragher (46), S McConville for Boyce (46), P Stuttard for Crowley (60), O Kieran for T O’Callaghan (60)
Yellow cards: A Kernan (30), R O’Neill (30)
Maghery: C Hendron; E Scullion, G Campbell (0-1), O Lappin; S Cusack (0-3), C Higgins, B Haveron (1-0); J Lavery, J Mackle; S Forker (0-3, 0-1 free), D Lavery, O Cushanan; B Fox (1-0), A Forker (1-3, 0-1 free), R Lappin. Subs: B Creally for Mackle (HT), K Robinson for Cushanan (39), P Forker for B Fox (55), S Fox for R Lappin (62)
Yellow cards: A Forker (30), B Fox (30)
Red cards: S Fox (63), A Forker (65)
Referee: K Faloon (Forkhill)
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