Crossmaglen not resting on their laurels

ULSTER CLUB SFC FINAL: Gavin Cummiskeyfinds no diminution in the Armagh club's appetite for continued success

IT'S DEEP in November and as the GAA season continues to trickle downstream the best place to unearth a football story is in South Armagh.

The men of Crossmaglen tend to be ploughing away whenever hell freezes over. The statistics require updating from 2007. Thirteen county titles in succession, going back to the 1995 semi-final against Mullaghbawn for the last local defeat, six provincial crowns and four All-Irelands titles.

It is a record of sheer magnificence that leaves them unbeaten in 23 finals. They still use failure as motivation for future success. Last year St Vincent's of Dublin ended their reign. Manager Donal Murtagh identified the impact big Pat Gilroy had on makeshift fullback Tony McEntee in the absence of a recuperating Francie Bellew.

A total of 1-2 came off the new Dublin manager in this year's All-Ireland club semi-final, opening up a 10-point gap that Crossmaglen were unable fill, try as they might. It ended 2-9 to 0-11. "We needed the game to go on for a few more minutes," laments Murtagh.

The road back to March 17th opens again if they negotiate a way past Ballinderry this Sunday in Brewster Park, Enniskillen. With Nemo Rangers surprisingly caught out by Broadford/Dromcollogher last Sunday, victory over the Derry champions provides a genuine opportunity to overcome either the Limerick champions or Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) who will emerge from the Munster decider.

Cathal Short, Paul Hearty, Oisín McConville, the McEntee brothers and Bellew are still around from the unique spread of talent that rose out of the club's underage ranks in the mid 1990s.

McConville's chronic back problem ensures his influence may have waned even though he posted nine points of the 0-24 total in victories over St Patrick's (Fermanagh) and St Eunan's (Donegal) en route to the Ulster final.

The McEntees, Tony and John, have, like McConville, stepped away from the inter-county scene, giving the club a huge advantage. Their influence ensured Cross' have added the last two league titles to their treasure chest.

And then there is Francie. Seemingly on the scrap heap a year ago, after sustaining a serious knee injury, now 32, Bellew has worked his way back into the heart of both club and county defences.

When St Eunan's threatened a shock, leading by two points at half-time, Bellew moved out to centre back, bringing his physicality to bear on proceedings.

"He ended up as man of the match," said Murtagh. "He began to break ball and drive forward. Francie doesn't give the ball away, he always gives the simple pass, be it two or ten yards."

We ask Murtagh about their ability to win hard, winter football matches, without being tested in the summer months when actually playing football is a more attainable feat. "I've heard this before. That the defeat (to St Vincent's) last season indicates we play better in winter. That we were caught out on a dry day. I disagree. We were beaten by two goals.

"We can adapt better than anyone. We can play in any circumstances; whether it is firm pitches or in a bog. We have the men to hit hard and take hits. We also have the players to play free-flowing football.

"Crossmaglen have big, strong quality players who can plough up the middle in tough conditions and keep the ball. There is always someone to step into it. But then we have guys like Oisín and the Kernans to lay off to on the wings."

"The common denominator of our success these past 13 years is the McEntees, Oisín and Francie. Others have come and gone but success breeds success and others come in. Remember, Cross' was a hotbed for football success before. We have 37 county titles. There has always being a championship tradition."

Teenager Jamie Clarke is the latest to emerge from the underage ranks. "Yeah, he started in all three Armagh championship matches and he can win his own ball. Not the biggest, but he is wiry and can take a hit. He'll skin ya as well." Two factors that pretty much define a Rangers footballer: tough and talented.