Cross crave winning feeling

THERE are two theories doing the rounds as to why All-Ireland club champions Crossmaglen weren’t, as per norm, awarded a team holiday.

One is rooted in reality; the other in perception.

Oisín McConville, on behalf of old Crossmaglen, explains the first hypothesis. “People see us having had success for the last 16 or 17 years but from the financial view of the club we have paid heavily. A lot of money has been spent to prepare us. No stone has been left unturned. We’re lucky in that we have home-grown managers but we don’t do things by halves and players are treated well. You’d hope if we win another (All-Ireland) we might get something even if it’s a weekend in Glasgow but that’s the reality of it. Years ago, you’d look forward to 10 days in Dubai. Now it’d be lovely to get to Donegal for a weekend.”