Crossmaglen 2-16 Clan na Gael 1-7
A stunning second half performance from Crossmaglen saw them cruise to their 47th Championship crown.
A haul of 2-10 during the second half tells its own tale as the rampant Rangers took full control of the encounter, having trailed at the break.
Clans held a one-point lead at half time, thanks to a flicked goal from Michael McConville. But it was all Crossmaglen after the turnaround.
It was a cagey enough opening, with both teams getting plenty of bodies behind the ball. But neither side offering much threat in the forward division.
Clans were ahead by the minimum when the game’s first goal came, with a bouncing ball in the square.
McConville’s three-pointer, coming on the 25th minute, put Clan na Gael, playing in their first championship final since 2006, four points in front.
But Crossmaglen cancelled the goal out within minutes, notching the next three scores on the trot. Rian O’Neill (free) and Cian McConville (two frees) both raised white flags.
That left Anthony Cunningham’s charges just one point behind when the short whistle sounded. 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval.
Any hope of a Clans revival was ripped up at the start of the second half when Ciaran Campbell picked up a black card.
A man down, Cross outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-2 during the third quarter. They then claimed their first goal of the game.
Captain Jamie Clarke slotted home from the penalty spot after corner back Thomas Og Duffy had been hauled to the ground.
A tap in goal from substitute Ronan Fitzpatrick was the icing on the cake and it’s on to Ulster now for the Armagh kingpins.
Man of the Match Paul Hughes, playing at wing half forward, chipped in with 0-3 while Cian McConville top scored with 0-5.
