Dr Crokes 1-09   Crossmaglen Rangers 1-09

 After a first half in which both teams played poorly we were treated to an outstanding second half by both sides at the end of which victory was denied us ten seconds from time when the South Armagh boys scored an equalising point.Even though we relinquished a three point lead in the last thirteen minutes our opponents did have as many missed chances as ourselves over the hour and would have got the same marks as ourselves over the sixty minutes.

 Both teams felt their way in the first half, neither side wishing to make mistakes that would prove costly.We had the first two points of the game but four unanswered points by Crossmaglen had them two minors in front just before half time.A brilliant pass by Colm Cooper led to a great point by Ambrose O'Donovan to leave us a point down at the short whistle, 0-4 to 0-3.

 The second half started in whirlwind fashion with a great Crossmaglen goal but before their celebrations had died down we had the ball in their net. This resulted from a great passing movement involving Kieran O'Leary and Colm Cooper and an emphatic finish by Shane Doolan.We added on three points to their two to level up the game 1-6 each after forty five minutes.We had a very productive spell in the next five minutes with points from Colm Cooper, Kieran O'Leary and David Moloney.We were now in the ascendancy with ten minutes to play plus injury time(thirteen minutes in all) .Even though we defended heroically during this period our attacks into their half were only sporadic, yielding the initative to our opponents.One must take into account however that at this stage we had lost our strong men, Brian McMahon(he only lasted 15 minutes) and Eoin Brosnan and that many of our team were feeling the effects of a fast, tough, sporting game.Crossmaglen dug deep and secured the three points they needed, the last with virtually the final kick of the game.

 All eighteen of our players were a credit to the Club. Our goalkeeper and six defenders gave very little soft away over the sixty three minutes . We more than held our own at midfield throughout despite Eoin Brosnan's injury. In an attack which had a great second half one would have to pick out the great combination and playing for one another of all six.

 Team and Scorers:Kieran Cremin, Keith McMahon, Luke Quinn, Michael Moloney; Bat Moriarty, Brian McMahon, Eanna Kavanagh; Ambrose O'Donovan 0-1, Eoin Brosnan; Brian Looney 0-2, Shane Doolan 1-1, James Fleming 0-1; Colm Cooper 0-2(frees) David Moloney 0-1, Kieran O'Leary 0-1. Subs; James Cahillane, Kieran Brosnan, Vince Cooper.