Crossmaglen Rangers manager Shane Lennon has hailed the impact of Oisin O’Neill after the Armagh star returned from injury to club duty last weekend.

O’Neill spent the best part of four months on the sidelines as a result of the calf injury he suffered against Derry in the All-Ireland championship group stage back in May before returning to action with Crossmaglen in last Saturday’s SFC win over Carrickcruppen.  

His performance was key in the 2023 champions’ 2-20 to 1-17 victory as they returned to the semi-finals of the Gerry Fagan Cup race where they now get set to face neighbours Cullyhanna next month.

“His leadership is massive to have. Oisin's a vice-captain. It's nearly every game we're on our third captain this year with injuries,” Lennon told BelfastLive.co.uk.

“Callum Cumiskey, (James) Morgan and Oisin is the stand-in captain. When you’re missing players like that, the bounce that Oisin gives, even in training, the leadership he has. . . we’ve young lads out there who are still plying their trade.

“Part of my role coming in there is to try and blood some of the players from that minor set-up. You see Aaron Haughey out there, Gene McEntee - probably their first real full Championship campaign.

“There are plenty of examples to look up to in the Crossmaglen dressing room and Oisin would be one of them big figures.

“Odhran Kieran as well, I think he got injured in the third League game and was ruled out for the year. I would like to get him a couple more minutes tonight. He obviously came on. Odhran is a big player for us as well.

"We've other lads. Obviously, it's going to be touch and go for three weeks' time. We've a good medical team there and hopefully we'll get them turned round. A bit of magic spray and get them back out.”

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