Division 1A – Clann Eireann 1-15 Crossmaglen 2-11
Clann Eireann shaded a hugely entertaining Division 1A clash with Crossmaglen on Saturday by the minimum of margins.
A late Conor Turbitt free proved the difference in the end as the Lurgan men continue their search for the league title.
Clann Eireann raced into an early 5-1 lead, but the gap was closed when Jamie Clarke captured a high ball and cooly dispatched to the top corner.
The home side replied in perfect fashion as Conor Turbitt reacted quickest to a Tiernan McConville save to poke home a goal.
A breakaway move from the Rangers resulted in another goal, with Paul Hughes this time raising a green flag.
Points from Turbitt and McConville sandwiched an Oisin O’Neill effort to see the hosts ahead at the break. 1-8 to 2-4.
Clarke and Cian McConville nudged Cross in front for the first time, before Aodhan McConville levelled.
Turbitt traded point with Clarke and McConville before scores from super subs Rian O’Neill and Aaron Kernan tied the game.
Emmet Magee raced forward from corner back to land a point, which was soon cancelled out by Rian O’Neill.
The final say fell to Turbitt, who fired over a long range free and picked up an important two points for his side.
Ballymacnab 4-9 Madden 0-16
Three second half goals from Ballymacnab saw them overcome league leaders Madden by five-points on Saturday evening.
In a hotly contested affair, in which both sides picked up reed cards, it was the home side who got goals at crucial times to claim victory.
A early three-pointer from Kieran Hughes gave Ballymacnab the initiative, but two Aron McKenna points tied things up by the end of the first quarter.
Conor Grimley landed a brace of frees and split two scores from Finnen Maguire and Rory Grugan. That left Madden ahead 0-9 to 1-4 at the break.
Ballymacnab made a perfect start right from the throw in, with Grugan nestling the ball in the bottom corner of the net.
It was score for score for the next 20 minute, before the Nab claimed another major with a superb Pearse Hughes effort.
Madden chipped in with two points to narrow the gap to two, but as the pressed for a goal they were caught on the break.
Pauric Gribben claimed the easiest of finishes with his sides fourth three-pointer to secure a five-point lead for the Nab.
Mullaghbawn 0-11 Granemore 2-10
Mullaghbawn suffered relegation to Division 1B with a five-point home defeat to Granemore on Sunday afternoon.
It was evenly matched early on before three frees in a row from Eddie English fired the home side two ahead, 4-2 after 15 minutes.
Louis Hughes traded frees with Shea Loye and English before Odhran Rafferty slotted home a penalty to shoot Granemore ahead.
Jason O’Neill extended their lead with an easy free just before the short whistle, with Granemore ahead 1-5 to 0-6.
Hughes and Patrick McAteer swapped scores before Mullaghbawn were awarded a penalty of their own. Goalkeeper Darren Carr parried the shot from Ciaran Grant and Granemore kept their noses ahead.
The visitors grabbed the games second goal through full forward Jason O’Neill and that allowed Granemore to see out a five-point win.
Armagh Harps 1-12 Killeavy 1-10
Armagh Harps earned a second win on the trot as they beat Killeavy by two-points, knocking the visitors out of the title race.
Killeavy started brilliant with a Miceal McNamee goal while Eoin Fields and Gareth Murphy traded scores.
Both sides traded scores before Killeavy earned a black card, and Harps took advantage with five on the trot through James McCoy and Tom O’Kane.
Conor O’Neill pointed to leave the minimum in it before a another McCoy score left Harps two in front at the break. 0-9 to 1-04.
Killeavy flew out of the traps in the second half and hit three without reply before Joe McElroy equalised for the home sides.
Killeavy took the lead with six minutes to play before a clever McCoy flick beat the advancing Killeavy keeper for Harps to lead by two and win the game.
Division 1B – St Peter’s 1-5 Dromintee 1-10
Dromintee secured a swift return to Division 1A football for next season with a five-point win over St Peter’s.
A second half goal from Gareth Kilgallon, who finished with 1-2, sealed the deal for the Dromintee men.
The visitors carried a three-point advantage into the second period, 0-6 to 0-3 at half time, and pulled further ahead.
A late goal from Niall McConville, who slotted home a penalty, narrowed the gap by the full-time whistle.
Elsewhere, two second half goals from Stefan Campbell and Sean Mackle secured an eight-point win for Clan na Gael.
Clans led by the minimum over Shane O’Neill’s after 30 minutes of action in Davitt Park, 0-7 to 0-6.
But the home sides stretched their lead after the turnaround with two majors to win 2-13 to 0-11 in the end.
