Crossmaglen book spot in Ulster final

Reigning All-Ireland Senior Club Football Champions Crossmaglen Rangers narrowly booked a spot in the Ulster final after a slender 2-6 to 0-11 win over Tyrone side Dromore at Clones this afternoon.

Early goals from Martin Aherne ensured the Armagh outfit held a 2-4 to 0-6 half-time lead but a resilient Dromore side never gave up and were strongly influenced by Tyrone player Ryan McMenamin, who scored two points after the restart.

The Tyrone outfit were certainly the better side in the second half, and didn’t show a lack of experience as they gave an outstanding display in their inaugural Ulster semi-final appearance.

It was a last gasp pointed 45 metre free from Tony Kernan which sent the large contingent of Crossmaglen supporters in the 7,000 crowd into raptures and booked Rangers a final spot.

It will be an Armagh/Antrim final after St. Gall’s of Belfast qualified for the decider following a 0-11 to 0-7 over Derry’s Glenullin at Healy Park, Omagh.

Although Sean Burke was dismissed following a second yellow card before half-time, St. Gall’s still held a 0-7 to 0-3 interval lead, and they continued to remain extremely dominant in the second half, affording to kick 19 wides during the game with Sean Kelly the star for the winners.

The final takes place next Sunday at Páirc Esler in Newry at 2pm.

Leinster continued to provide its fair share of drama after Dromard of Longford and reigning Kildare and Leinster champions Moorefield finished 0-12 a piece after extra-time in their Quarter-final replay at Pearse Park, Longford.

Moorefield led by 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time with Ronan Sweeney helping the visitors to dominate in the midfield sector.

The dismissal of NUI Maynooth student Francis McGee didn’t deter Dromard and the sides were level on two occasions during the second half to finish 0-9 apiece at the end of normal time.

Dromard led by 0-12 to 0-10 at half-time in extra-time but they were unable to score in the final 10 minutes of this contest as the Kildare side, under former Laois player Dessie Brennan, scored two hard earned points to ensure a 2nd replay at St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge next Sunday.

Meanwhile St. Vincent’s of Dublin advanced to a semi-final meeting with Portlaoise next Sunday after the North Dublin side overcame Seneschalstown in a thrilling quarter-final replay at Páirc Tailteann.

Vincent’s emerged 1-12 to 0-10 winners following a tenacious contest.

A Tomás Quinn goal, two minutes into injury time helped to seal a semi-final spot.