Crossmaglen quickly into their stride

Crossmaglen 3-9 Kilcoo 1-9:There are not many reliable guides to beating Crossmaglen Rangers in circulation. Any there are would presumably urge opponents not to find themselves 2-1 to zero behind within five minutes of the throw-in.

But such was the daunting and ultimately impossible task Down champions Kilcoo gave themselves in yesterday’s AIB Ulster football final in Armagh’s Athletic Grounds before an attendance of 8,264.

Yet the big surprise was that the match didn’t run smoothly for the All-Ireland champions from then on despite the fast start.

The match became scrappy and in the niggling exchanges Crossmaglen lost two players to red cards – replacement Michael McNamee on a straight red in the 46th minute for striking and Jamie Clarke, probably more sinned against than sinning, for a second yellow in the last minute.

The outsiders could wistfully ponder the remainder of the match when they outscored their formidable opponents by 1-9 to 1-8 and a second half when they actually pulled to within a score as an indicator of what might have been.

But the shock and awe opening may have disorientated Cross’ as well as their opponents.

“Maybe we started doing our own thing,” said Aaron Kernan afterwards. “We started taking the harder option, take the extra touch or whatever and suddenly the opposition are right back in the game.

“But give credit to Kilcoo – they made things very hard for us once they settled down. They started using the running game and it worked for them. Hopefully, we’ll learn from this and be a better team for it.”

Exposed to the familiar arsenal of Cross’s high-pressure, quick, long-kicking game, Kilcoo buckled early.

Family productivity

The opening blitz came between the third and fifth minutes, as firstly Stephen Kernan was tripped running onto a through-ball and Oisín McConville dispatched the penalty.

This was followed within 60 seconds by Tony Kernan hanging a long ball down on the Kilcoo goal and his brother Aaron moving onto the break to drive in the second gaol.

Tony Kernan then added a point and not to be outdone by the family productivity, full back, Paul, some minutes later put in a terrific block on Gary McEvoy at the other end.

Cross were scoring almost at will, winning possession, running in support and making sure that the best-placed player was given the ball.

Kyle Carragher had a goal chance in the 17th minute but took too long deliberating how to beat Stephen Kane and had to settle for a point.

Kilcoo didn’t score from play until the second half and trailed by nine at the break.

Having drifted 10 points behind immediately after the break, Kilcoo improbably worked their way back into the match.