Anthony Cunningham issues Jamie Clarke update as Crossmaglen boss hails vital free-kick decision

Jamie Clarke recently returned to the Crossmaglen squad and was introduced as a substitute in Sunday's win over Cullyhanna
-Credit: (Image: ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty)


When Crossmaglen were awarded a free in the closing moments of Sunday’s intriguing quarter-final tussle with neighbours Cullyhanna, almost everyone inside the Box-It Athletic Grounds, including Anthony Cunningham, expected Rian O’Neill to have a shot at the posts.

Cian McConville was brought to ground under a strong, but illegal challenge from Gavin Duffy. Referee Fearghal Laverty awarded the free some 50 metres from goal.

With the score tied at 1-10 to 0-13, the stage appeared set for the Armagh star to kick Cross into the last four having already plundered the game’s only goal following a long-range assist from his brother Oisin.

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However, McConville had other ideas. Before O’Neill could saunter over to eye up the kick, his colleague had spotted that Odhran Kieran was unmarked ahead of him and swiftly delivered the ball into the hands of his teammate and a Crossmaglen had a new, unheralded match-winner.

“When Cian won the free-kick I thought to myself ‘put it down and Rian will kick that over the bar’ but before I’d the thought finished in my head, he had passed it,” reflected Cunningham.

“Not only did he win the free-kick and gave the pass, but for Odhran Kieran to step up and be brave enough to take the shot. . . fair play to the two boys. I know they are close friends, I don’t know whether they had worked on it our not, but it got us over the line and we are delighted.”

Cross were 1-9 to 0-7 ahead at half-time, but only scored twice in the second half as St Pat’s fought back to level the contest before Kieran’s last-gasp winner.

Next up for the holders is a huge semi-final battle with 2021 champions Clann Éireann, who edged out Armagh Harps on Saturday night by three points.

Cunningham will be hoping to have defender Rico Kelly back for the last four clash after he missed the quarter-final with a hamstring injury while last year’s captain Jamie Clarke also returned to fold in recent weeks.

The former Armagh star lifted the Gerry Fegan Cup as Cross skipper last season, but opted off the squad this season before returning ahead of the round three game against Granemore.

He was introduced for the closing minutes of the game against Cullyhanna and his return is a huge boost to Crossmaglen’s hopes of winning a third successive county title.

“That was my thinking at that stage - if we could get Jamie on the ball, he is Jamie Clarke and he’ll get me a score,” added Cunningham.

“It didn’t pan out for him, but that was our thinking. If we’d have gotten him on the ball, he’d have a shot.

“His fitness isn’t where it should be, but he is a man for the big occasion.”

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