Ulster club SFC: Clinical Cross' dethrone holders

October 31, 2010

St. Galls Kevin Niblock has his path blocked by Crossmaglens Paul McKeown during the Ulster club SFC quarter-final at Crossmaglen - INPHO
Crossmaglen ended St. Gall's reign as provincial and All-Ireland champions when a dominant first half display paved the way for a resounding AIB Ulster club SFC quarter-final victory at Oliver Plunkett Park.

Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 1-12
St. Gall's (Antrim) 0-9

Back in the provincial arena after they were denied a 14th consecutive Armagh SFC title last year, Cross' showed scant regard for their Belfast opponents' lofty reputation in a game which saw referee Joe McQuillan dish out two red and 11 yellow cards.

The reigning All-Ireland champions had Karl Stewart dismissed on a second yellow card eight minutes before half-time, but the numerical balance was restored when Cross' defender James Morgan was dismissed two minutes later, also on a second yellow card.

St. Gall's were already in deep trouble at half-time when they trailed by 0-4 to 1-8 with the evergreen Oisin McConville running riot for the home side. The game's decisive score came two minutes before the break when the former Armagh sharpshooter drilled home a penalty to leave them seven points clear at the break.

The Antrim champions were given hope when CJ McGourty clawed back two points immediately after the restart, but with David McKenna lording proceedings at midfield, Cross' maintained the grip on the game and St. Gall's never recovered after Kevin Niblock's penalty was saved by Paul Hearty early in the second half.

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