THE big game of the week for Crossmaglen Rangers was when the 2nds came up against neighbours St Pat’s in the first round of the Armagh Junior Championship.
Local derbies are rarely easy and this one proved to be no different. Rangers made the better start and a goal after 5 minutes appeared to set them on their way. Indeed at this stage, the Cross’ men should have been much further away, but failure to take advantage of frees and poor shot selection kept St Pat’s within range.
Rangers were made to pay for missed chances when, practically in their first raid, St Pat’s scored a goal. This was quickly followed by a point from play to put them in the lead.
Exchanges for the remainder of the half were even with each side exchanging points and Crossmaglen went in at half time1-5 to 1-3.
On the resumption, the first 15 minutes belonged to St Pat’s as Cross’ had great difficulty getting the ball beyond the midfield and they scored 3 points in a row to put them back in front again.
At last Rangers began to get into the game and 3 points in a row put them 2 points in front again. To their credit, St Pat’s refused to lie down and 2 points of their own helped to bring them level.
With time almost up, Cross’ went ahead again by a point but that was not the end as St Pat’s came back to score a point to leave the sides level at the full time whistle. Final Score: Rangers 1-9 St Pats 1-9.
