Rian’s stunning winner as Cross dramatically recover

Armagh SFC champions Crossmaglen Rangers pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Ulster Club Championship history, defeating their Cavan counterparts 1-22 to 2-18 in an epic advertisement for the game at Kingspan Breffni on Saturday night.

With seconds left in injury time and Crossmaglen trailing by a point, Oisin O’Neill stood over a long-range free-kick outside the 40-metre arc. In a move that shocked everyone , he passed it short to his brother Rian, who split the posts with a stunning, last-gasp two-pointer to win the game.

This sensational victory marks the Rangers first win in the Ulster Club Championship since 2018, booking them a place in the semi-finals.

Gowna totally dominated the first half and extended their lead to eight points (1-13 to 1-5) at half-time, followed by a quick second goal by Ryan Donohue after the restart.

Oisin O’Neill scored the opening point which had Cross in front for the only time to late in the game. Gowna soon found their rhythm landing six points on the bounce and it took a well worked Cian McConville goal just before the interval to give the victors’ a more respectable look on the scoreboard.

Crossmaglen completely locked down Gowna’s kick-outs in the second half. Heavy-scoring contribution from Oisin O’Neill (0-7) and Rian O’Neill (0-5), fuelled the steady resurgence.

The lead repeatedly changed hands in the final five minutes. Gowna thought they had sealed a famous victory when Ryan Donohue drilled a brilliant two-pointer deep in stoppage time to put them up, before that final free-kick which Gowna players strongly disputed with referee Paul Faloon.

Cross throughout their domestic championship were in the habit of hauling back huge deficits but surely the latest heroics must crown them all.

Little or nothing went for Cross in the first half even Gowna’s first goal was a blatant square ball and the amount of turnovers and uncharacteristic errors that the Cavan champions profited from was a pale reflection of Crossmaglen football, that saw their defence repeatedly pulled apart.

However, there was no excessive need for panic despite being 8 adrift at the break, Shane Lennon’s side having overcome greater obstacles on their way to their 48th Armagh title. Gowna’s early goal on the resumption was a real mettle tester which Cross answered in the most emphatic fashion.

The bench played its part in the massive turnaround, the introduction of youngster Keelan. McEntee (son of Tony) and James Teelan punching holes in a hitherto gel-tight defensive structure.

This was a vastly experienced Gowna side sprinkled with county players, that had danced their way through the Cavan championship, so the victory will give the Armagh champions, a young team, with seven U21 players and a minor every confidence to extend their provincial journey.

Man of the match Rian O’Neill admitted he was in total “shock” when his brother Oisin decided to pass the final free. “He gave it to me and I just saw the space open up. Gowna had backed off and I backed myself to kick then, and thank God it went over… these are the moments you play Gaelic football for.”

CROSSMAGLEN- Miceal Murray, Eugene McEntee, Caolan Dillon, Christopher Crowley, Odhran Caraher (0-1), Callum Cumiskey (0-1), Harry Cumiskey, Stephen Morris, Pearse Blessing (0-3), Aaron Haughey, Oisin O’Neill (0-7), Ryan Martin, Cian McConville (1-2), Aaron O’Neill, Rian O’Neill (0-5).Subs - Keelan McEntee (0-2) for Harry Cumiskey, Padraig Stuttard for Oisin Caraher, James Teelan (0-1) for Eugene McEntee, Paul Hughes for Caolan Dillon.