Portlaoise back in final after 23-year absence

Portlaoise 0-8 Crossmaglen 0-7

It required a major effort to acquire and then defend a one-point advantage for the last 15 minutes of a gruelling encounter.

However, the fact is that three-times winners Crossmaglen Rangers spurned numerous clear-cut chances of an equaliser in injury time. And all that while they were a man down, after Stephen Kernan was red-carded in the 57th minute.

When the final whistle eventually sounded, after seven minutes and 50 seconds of additional time, Portlaoise players and supporters celebrated a landmark victory over the highly-rated Crossmaglen side, which had won the last nine Armagh titles.

And, because of the confident manner in which they took them on, physically as much as in the football sense, few could begrudge them their success in getting back to the final after a 23-year gap. No more than two points ever separated the sides after the opening quarter and scores were level five times before Peter McNulty kicked the decisive point seven minutes before the end of normal time.

Portlaoise had two scores on the board in a matter of minutes, through McNulty and the crafty Ian Fitzgerald and, after Crossmaglen drew level six minutes later, Oisin McConville and John McEntee kicked them in front. This passage of play was particularly noteworthy for the fact that, after a slow start, better play from Crossmaglen gave them a psychological edge.

It happened after their midfielders, Anthony Cunningham especially, gained a grip and John McEntee started to win vital possession on the left flank. However, to the great credit of Portlaoise they quickly recovered and never struggled at any stage. This was due in large measure to the dependability of their defence - with Colm Byrne masterly at full-back - the resourcefulness of their forwards and the important contribution of Kevin Fitzpatrick after he was switched to midfield.

Much of their attacking possession was channeled through Colm Parkinson at full-forward, who had the beating of Francie Bellew. Apart from Ian Fitzgerald, Brian McCormack and McNulty also played a big role.

In contrast, the threat from the Crossmaglen forwards was rather patchy after the initial burst which had them 0-4 to 0-2 for a five-minute period. With Gareth O’Neill quite effective at left half-back, Tony McEntee holding his own at times in the centre and solid work from the midfielders, they enjoyed almost as much possession in attack. Michael McNamee, Stephen Kernan and Cathal Short all impressed at stages, but Oisin McConville’s influence in general play was minimal after a long lay-off due to injury.

After the break, the strength of the Portlaoise full-back line was critical again and, as the game developed, their half-backs made a contribution every bit as significant.

After McNamee levelled the scoring in the 34th minute, Portlaoise quickly regained the lead, through Martin Delaney, before falling behind to a good score from Gareth O’Neill at the three-quarters stage. In another two minutes, scores were level for the fifth and last time and after a further six minutes play, Portlaoise gained the winning score. But, it was far from apparent then that it would prove to be so.

Crossmaglen created the greater opportunities for scores in the final stages. In this, they were helped enormously by the strength of their defence, with Bellew very much to the forefront. Substitute full-forward Colm O’Neill (standing at 6-6), looked menacing a few times when he gained possession, but crucially was denied the space to score.

John McEntee blazed a ball wide, before twin brother Tony was taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle - which resulted in the initial two minutes of additional time being more than trebled. Only the vigilance of ‘keeper Michael Nolan stopped the ball ending up in the Portlaoise net after a defender lost possession. And, following that, John Murtagh from a right-wing free and Aaron Kernan from play on the other side, lost further opportunities of saving the game from Cross. It just was not their day.

Referee Paddy Russell showed firmness and authority in dealing well with a demanding challenge.

Scorers: Portlaoise - P. McNulty 0-5 (0-4 frees); I. Fitzgerald, B. Fitzgerald and M. Delaney 0-1 each. Crossmaglen: O. McConville 0-3 frees; J. McEntee 0-2; M. McNamee and G. O’Neill 0-1 each.

PORTLAOISE: M. Nolan; T. Fitzgerald, C. Byrne, E. Bland; B. Mulligan, C. Healy, A. Fennelly; E. Coleman, M. Delaney; B. McCormack, I. Fitzgerald, K. Fitzpatrick; P. McNulty, C. Parkinson (capt.), C. Rogers. Sub: B. Fitzgerald for Coleman (21st minute).

CROSSMAGLEN: P. Hearty; J. Donaldson, F. Bellew, C. Dooley; A. Kernan, T. McEntee (capt.), G. O’Neill; S. Clarke, A. Cunningham; M. McNamee, S. Kernan, J. McEntee; O. McConville, C. Short. J. Murtagh. Subs: C. O’Neill for Short (46th minute); G. McShane for T. McEntee (injured, 62nd minute).

Referee: P. Russell (Tipperary).