Lennon wary of Gowna threat as Crossmaglen eye Ulster progress

Crossmaglen manager Shane Lennon ©INPHO/Leah Scholes

Crossmaglen Rangers manager Shane Lennon is expecting a tough test when his side take on Cavan champions Gowna in tomorrow evening’s Ulster club SFC quarter-final at Kingspan Breffni (7.15pm).

The Armagh champions will be hoping to improve on a disappointing recent record in the competition, having lost at the first hurdle in each of their last three campaigns against Clontibret, Ballybay and Trillick.

Crossmaglen secured a record-extending 48th Armagh title this season and Lennon believes his side have grown into the campaign after a difficult start.

“We knew we were missing a few bodies early in the group stages and it was difficult at times,” the Cross’ boss is quoted saying by BelfastLive.co.uk.

“We knew we had quality to come back in. We ushered Oisin back and we had Cian (McConville) and Aaron (O’Neill) to come back in from the county set-up as well.”

Lennon is aware of the challenge posed by Gowna, particularly with the Cavan side enjoying home advantage.

“We’ve done our work on Gowna and they are a good side and we’ll need to be at our best to compete with them," he said.

“Obviously the home advantage is massive in these games too, home advantage for them in Breffni. I don’t think we’ve come across too many Cavan champions through the years, so it is a new challenge for them as well. Hopefully, we can put our best foot forward.”