It was mixed fortunes for Armagh’s club sides in Ulster today as Crossmaglen progressed in the senior championship while Clann Eireann crashed out in the Intermediate.
Cross’ saw off Antrim side Cargin to record their first win in Ulster championship football in over three years.
However, the reigning Armagh champions didn’t have it all their own way at the Athletic Grounds as Cargin imposed themselves and took an early lead.
It was seven points a piece at the break, with Cross’ lucky to be on par after a somewhat below par performance. Cargin’s lack of Ulster experience playing against them on this occasion.
Cargin were made pay for not taking full advantage of their first half dominance as a much better Rangers side emerged from the changing rooms to take full control of the game.
The turning point came less than ten minutes into the second half when Johnny Murtagh netted for Cross’ to give his side a six point cushion.
The Armagh side lead by five going into the final ten minutes before Cargin mounted some form of comeback, knocking over two points, but all hopes were effectively ended when Gerard McCann was given his marching orders following a second yellow card.
Cross’ rammed home the advantage to run out 2-15 to 0-13 winners. They will face Down champions Kilcoo in the semi-final.
We’re going to have new champions in @UlsterGAA! @crossrangers & @ScotstownGAA advance to the semis. #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/1wIbqwMLaD
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) November 1, 2015
Elsewhere, Clann Eireann were dumped out following extra time in their Ulster Intermediate quarter final.
Bundoran registered the first score of the game but James McDaid opened the Lurgan side’s account with a goal on 12 minutes.
The first half was a largely dour low-scoring affair with the sides level at the break 1-1 to 0-4.
The Donegal champions added two points to their tally on the restart and lead throughout the half until an injury time Clann Eireann point forced extra time with the score at 1-6 to 0-9.
However, the late point didn’t dampen Bundoran’s resolve as they coasted through to the semi-finals on a scoreline of 0-14 to 1-9
