Gaelic Games

Jamie Clarke’s two goals help Crossmaglen maintain their remarkable dominance

Challengers Armagh Harps brushed aside as Rangers make it 18 titles in 19 years

Crossmaglen’s Jamie Clarke celebrates one of his two goals against Armagh Harps at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh. Photo: Adrew Paton/Inpho
Crossmaglen’s Jamie Clarke celebrates one of his two goals against Armagh Harps at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh. Photo: Adrew Paton/Inpho
Sun Oct 19 2014 - 19:30

Crossmaglen Rangers 4-14 Armagh Harps 0-9

Another straightforward day at the office, another Armagh senior county title for Crossmaglen Rangers – their 18th in 19 years, in fact.

Rarely has such a protracted narrative of dominance been scripted within the GAA and on the evidence provided at the Athletic Grounds yesterday, more silverware could be destined for Rangers trophy.

By half-time, Rangers’ smooth cohesion and Jamie Clarke’s sublime finishing had ensured that the margin of victory was the only issue left.

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Having spent the greater part of the opening half receiving treatment for a facial injury, Clarke pilfered goals in the 4th and 28th minutes that copper-fastened Cross’s 2-7 to 0-1 interval lead, Ultan Lennon’s point from a free being Harps’ only response.

And when Kyle Carragher swept home an exquisite goal in the 48th minute and David McKenna pocketed a fourth in the 55th minute, this merely embellished Rangers' total supremacy in what proved an embarrassing mismatch.

Harps only managed three points from play although skipper Declan McKenna was defiance personified at midfield.

CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS: P Hearty; S Finnegan, J Morgan, P Hughes; A Kernan (0-3), P McKeown, C Cumiskey (0-3); J Hanratty, R Kelly; T Kernan (0-2), J Clarke (2-1), M Aherne; K Carragher (1-2), M McNamee, J Murtagh (0-1). Subs: K Brennan (0-1) for Clarke (blood sub, 6 mins), D McKenna (1-1) for Hanratty (44 mins), K Brennan for Carragher (50 mins), G Carragher for Morgan (51), C O'Neill for Finnegan (52 mins), A Rushe for Hughes (53 mins), K McShane for Kelly (56 mins).

ARMAGH HARPS: P Morrison; K Morris, C Lennon, C Coulter; M McConville, J McElroy, R McGrath; C Vernon, D McKenna (0-1); S McCoy, U Lennon (0-4, three frees, one 45), K Loughran; R McShane, G Swift, P McCoy. Subs: C McKee for McGrath (24 mins), C White (0-1) for Loughran (32 mins), S Grimley (0-1) for Swift (39 mins), P Kelly for Coulter (40 mins), P Rafferty for P McCoy (46 mins).

Referee: Stephen Murray (Wolfe Tones).