Crossmaglen come out on top against Killeavy  to claim 48th senior title 

IRON CROSS: Crossmaglen Rangers celebrate winning with the Gerry Fagan Cup. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho

Armagh SFC final: Crossmaglen 1-19 Killeavy 0-17 

The Gerry Fagan Cup has returned to Crossmaglen for the 48th time as the Rangers edged out Killeavy in a hugely entertaining Armagh SFC county final, with five points the difference between the teams in the end.

Cross were competing in their first final since 2023 while Killeavy, managed by club and county legend Steven McDonnell, appeared on the big day for the first time in 38 years.

The sides were all square with ten minutes remaining but Crossmaglen, led by Man of the Match Pearse Blessing, outscored their opponents 6-1 to see out the game and take the title.

There were certainly no early nerves from the county final newbies Killeavy as they burst out of the traps to lead 6-1 after nine minutes, with Callum O’Hare and Shea Magill (free) landing two point scores.

Crossmaglen came roaring back in to the contest with the next nine points, an Aaron O’Neill brace kickstarting their scoring spree. His older brother Oisin landed four, including a two-pointer, while cousin Cian McConville also chipped in with a single.

Killeavy settled themselves and grabbed the last two scores before the half time break. Gareth Murphy’s swiped effort flew beyond the bar, their first score in 21 minutes, while Conor O’Neill eased over a left-footed effort, leaving it 0-10 to 0-8 at half time.

Crossmaglen's Pearse Blessing celebrates after scoring his side's first goal of the match with Oisin O'Neill. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho

Magill and O’Hanlon booted over two-pointers apiece right at the start of the second period to restore Killeavy’s advantage but a brace from Oisin O’Neill left the sides evenly matched once again.

Cross could have hit the net when captain Callum Cumiskey saw his effort crash back off the post, but they didn’t have too long to wait as Blessing deliver the game’s first and only goal to put Shane Lennon’s men back in front.

The impressive Fergal Boylan, Killeavy’s top scorer on the day, slotted over a superb two-pointer to remind the jam-packed BOX-IT Athletic Grounds that Killeavy were still well within the fight.

But Crossmaglen’s response was emphatic and they put their foot to the ground in the final ten minutes. Teenager Keelan McEntee fisted over his side score after coming in off the bench while Blessing recorded a point.

Boylan (free) kept Killeavy in touch but Blessing (two-pointer) substitute James Teelan and Cian McConville all split the posts to seal the deal for Crossmaglen, who will face Cavan champions Gowna in the opening round of the Ulster Championship.

CROSSMAGLEN: M Murray; E McEntee, C Dillon, C Crowley; O Caraher 0-1, C Cumiskey, H Cumiskey 0-1; S Morris, P Blessing 1-3 (1tp); A Haughey, O O'Neill 0-6 (1pt, 2f), R Martin; C McConville 0-3 (1f), A O'Neill 0-2, R O’Neill. 

Subs: K McEntee (0-2) for O Caraher, P Stuttard for E. McEntee, J Teelan (0-1) for H. Cumiskey.

KILLEAVY: S Magill; C Magennis, K Mallon, C O’Hare 0-2 (1tp); L Rice, G Murphy 0-1, C McKinney; E Boyd, C Boylan 0-1; C O’Neill 0-1, K McDonnell, C O'Hanlon 0-3 (1tp); F Boylan 0-5 (1tp, 1f), R McGuinness, A Magennis 0-1. 

Subs: C McConville for E Boyd, T Brown for R McGuinnes, N Magennis for K McDonnell, J Cosgrove for L Rice.