Difficult to look beyond ‘flying’ Cross

LET’S begin by confirming that, yes, we are tipping Crossmaglen.

How could it be otherwise with the south Armagh side having claimed their third successive Ulster title before Christmas? No mean feat.

The last to achieve that was the Burren club from Down back in 1985 and Cross did it the hard way by edging past a hugely capable Ballinderry outfit in the final after a replay.

In manager Donal Murtagh’s words, they were “flying” last year.

Still, history would suggest that if Cross are to be caught this year it will have to be today.

Their last defeat in a championship final – whether county, provincial or national – was against Carrickcruppin in 1982 but they have fallen twice at this penultimate national hurdle in recent years.

Drom-Broadford surprised everyone by defeating Nemo Rangers in the Munster semi-final but they haven’t been given enough credit for their subsequent victory over Kilmurray-Ibrickane in the decider.

The Clare champions had built up a chilling unbeaten record prior to that game in the Gaelic Grounds but the result must be viewed through the prism of the Banner side’s horrendous shooting which cost them in what was a low-scoring affair.

This will be the Limerick outfit’s first experience of an All-Irelandsemi-final and, unlike Crossmaglen, it still remains to be seen how much they have been discommoded by the hiatus since their provincial campaign.

Cross don’t usually rack up cricket scores so the underdogs may well find themselves within striking distance well into the second quarter.

Crossmaglen though are masters in the art of closing out games and this one should be no different.

* Verdict: Crossmaglen