Ulster Senior Football Club Championship 2010

[GrannySmyth]

i might be wrong, i was at the game, sludden got tk sent off for f--k all, why has sludden created more controversy then the ref himself.. in a nutshell ... he is s--t

There is a pattern emerging here....

Everytime he is involved in a game invoved with anything from Armagh a player gets sent off. Armagh vs Down in NFL - Sending off. Armagh vs Monaghan in Ulster - Sending off and then there is today.

You are all correct. Crossmaglen players never do anything. Always play the game to the letter of the law. Never cynical. Never foul. And those pesky St. galls and Glenties players roughing them up.
And then today, poor Tony Kernan running past a Glenties player and the dirty Donegal player sticks out his chin and hits poor Tony on the elbow and what does the disgraced Sludden do, goes and gets poor Tony sent off.

The man is a tool.

Im not saying that Cross were innocent but the fact that TG4 didn't even have a replay of the incident - well let's say innocent untill proven guilty, because I didn't see anything happen and another poster who was at the game did not see it.

Seen both incidents.
McConville was down and they kinda got mixed up the Glenties man.
There was nothing in it, Glenties man got up was not hurt so harsh enough.

Tony's was an awkward looking attempted shoulder tackle after the 2 had been invoved in some minor afters.
His arm may have come up but it was certainly not an elbow. The glenties man ran on without any ill effects

[saffron sam2]

i might be wrong, i was at the game, sludden got tk sent off for f--k all, why has sludden created more controversy then the ref himself.. in a nutshell ... he is s--t

There is a pattern emerging here....

Everytime he is involved in a game invoved with anything from Armagh a player gets sent off. Armagh vs Down in NFL - Sending off. Armagh vs Monaghan in Ulster - Sending off and then there is today.

I think you're on to something. Louth is very close to Armagh too, just over the border in fact.

[illdecide]

Throw ball has a point there i seen that incident where McConville was flattened in front of the ref, shoulder straight into the chest and not even a free kick. I also thought McConville was singled out a few other times and got nothing for it, I'm thinking Oisin wrote something in the papers about the ref a while back? but i suppose he and Cross got their reward in the end.

Cross were no Angels either and i thought Hanratty started the whole lot as whilst shaking hands with the other midfielder before the ball was thrown in he pulled his opponent into him and hit him with the chest. But the best team won and i wish Cross the best of luck in the All Ireland

[brokencrossbar1]

Throw ball has a point there i seen that incident where McConville was flattened in front of the ref, shoulder straight into the chest and not even a free kick. I also thought McConville was singled out a few other times and got nothing for it, I'm thinking Oisin wrote something in the papers about the ref a while back? but i suppose he and Cross got their reward in the end.

Cross were no Angels either and i thought Hanratty started the whole lot as whilst shaking hands with the other midfielder before the ball was thrown in he pulled his opponent into him and hit him with the chest. But the best team won and i wish Cross the best of luck in the All Ireland

You'll find that the Glenties man wouldn't let go of Johnny's hand and was trying to get him to rise.  They singled him and Titch from the throw in and tried to get them rattled a la Kennelly to Murphy.  The refereeing was shocking but these things happen in games and at the end of the day you take the rough with the smooth.  Tony was caught, other days you wouldn't be. He will learn from it and it is not the first time things like this happen. I have always said refereeing decisions generally don't win or lose games and the better teams can rise above poor refereeing and win the game on their own merits.   

I had a very detailed analysis there and someone rang me and I pressed the wrong button and lost it all.  I won't bother my head with doing it again.  Glenties didn't have the legs.  They put so much effort into containing us in the first half they had nothing left.  Cross can take hits all day and it doesn't really take much out of the players, also they have an excellent bench to make changes so they have a major advantage over many teams.  There is still a lot of work to be done to get the lads up to the level of AI winning but they are in the next round and that is all that matters.  Neasden Gaels will be tough to beat, any match in London is always hard but if the lads mind themselves over Christmas thenn they will be in a strong position.  Kilmacud will be favourites to win the Semi no matter who comes through but if it is our lads they won't feel daunted in any fashion.

[Winnie Peg]

i might be wrong, i was at the game, sludden got tk sent off for f--k all, why has sludden created more controversy then the ref himself.. in a nutshell ... he is s--t

There is a pattern emerging here....

Everytime he is involved in a game invoved with anything from Armagh a player gets sent off. Armagh vs Down in NFL - Sending off. Armagh vs Monaghan in Ulster - Sending off and then there is today.

You are all correct. Crossmaglen players never do anything. Always play the game to the letter of the law. Never cynical. Never foul. And those pesky St. galls and Glenties players roughing them up.
And then today, poor Tony Kernan running past a Glenties player and the dirty Donegal player sticks out his chin and hits poor Tony on the elbow and what does the disgraced Sludden do, goes and gets poor Tony sent off.

The man is a tool.

Im not saying that Cross were innocent but the fact that TG4 didn't even have a replay of the incident - well let's say innocent untill proven guilty, because I didn't see anything happen and another poster who was at the game did not see it.

Why pick on me, I'm agreeing with you . The fact that you and another poster and TG4 didnt pick it up then it didnt happen.
AndOisin getting booked was a disgrace when then that Glenties player lying on the ground got up and hit Oisin's knee with his back and he wasn't even spoken to. I would like all you Anti Cross people to view the video and see that Cross players never committed any personal or consistent fouling and played the game totally according to the rules.
Enough of this anti Cross stuff.

[Applesisapples]

Think you will find that two yellow cards are followed by a red! TK got them himself. you cant have it both ways! Cross must pay out some fees after these games

The commentator expressed surprise that Sludden only cited Kernan, those of us from Armagh would understand that he has a sight (No pun intended) impairment which causes him only to see offences committed by Armagh men. Louth's problem was that their red jersey is closer to orange!!

[Applesisapples]

i might be wrong, i was at the game, sludden got tk sent off for f--k all, why has sludden created more controversy then the ref himself.. in a nutshell ... he is s--t

There is a pattern emerging here....

Everytime he is involved in a game invoved with anything from Armagh a player gets sent off. Armagh vs Down in NFL - Sending off. Armagh vs Monaghan in Ulster - Sending off and then there is today.

Spot on.

[brokencrossbar1]

i might be wrong, i was at the game, sludden got tk sent off for f--k all, why has sludden created more controversy then the ref himself.. in a nutshell ... he is s--t

There is a pattern emerging here....

Everytime he is involved in a game invoved with anything from Armagh a player gets sent off. Armagh vs Down in NFL - Sending off. Armagh vs Monaghan in Ulster - Sending off and then there is today.

Spot on.

No harm to ye lads but get over the paranoia



Refs make good and bad decisions and we can disagree with them but to think someone has a particular grudge against a team/county is a small bit OTT.  Tony mac even said TK should have been sent off!

[Applesisapples]

You might note that I did not say TK did not deserve his second yellow. I stated the fact that the commentator said that the NC man should also have been dealt with. Martin Sludden has a history of harsh calls against Armagh teams some of which have been highlighted. I am led to believe his reputation within Tyrone is not good, perhaps some of our Tyrone brethren could confirm or deny that. He is a poor referee full stop, and McQuillan is not great either there was no consistency yesterday, both teams suffered as a result, the NC No.8 should also have seen second yellow...consistency?? The GAA needs to do something to improve consistency, refs will always make mistakes its the nature of the job.

On the game itself the best team won. NC were over reliant on the Brick Molloy and as Cross put it up to them resorted to hopeful ball lumped in, no better man than Francie to mop it up. I expected them to run more at Cross in the second half, perhaps they ran out of steam.

[maddog]

Throw ball has a point there i seen that incident where McConville was flattened in front of the ref, shoulder straight into the chest and not even a free kick. I also thought McConville was singled out a few other times and got nothing for it, I'm thinking Oisin wrote something in the papers about the ref a while back? but i suppose he and Cross got their reward in the end.

Cross were no Angels either and i thought Hanratty started the whole lot as whilst shaking hands with the other midfielder before the ball was thrown in he pulled his opponent into him and hit him with the chest. But the best team won and i wish Cross the best of luck in the All Ireland

You'll find that the Glenties man wouldn't let go of Johnny's hand and was trying to get him to rise.  They singled him and Titch from the throw in and tried to get them rattled a la Kennelly to Murphy.  The refereeing was shocking but these things happen in games and at the end of the day you take the rough with the smooth.  Tony was caught, other days you wouldn't be. He will learn from it and it is not the first time things like this happen. I have always said refereeing decisions generally don't win or lose games and the better teams can rise above poor refereeing and win the game on their own merits.   

I had a very detailed analysis there and someone rang me and I pressed the wrong button and lost it all.  I won't bother my head with doing it again.  Glenties didn't have the legs.  They put so much effort into containing us in the first half they had nothing left.  Cross can take hits all day and it doesn't really take much out of the players, also they have an excellent bench to make changes so they have a major advantage over many teams.  There is still a lot of work to be done to get the lads up to the level of AI winning but they are in the next round and that is all that matters.  Neasden Gaels will be tough to beat, any match in London is always hard but if the lads mind themselves over Christmas thenn they will be in a strong position.  Kilmacud will be favourites to win the Semi no matter who comes through but if it is our lads they won't feel daunted in any fashion.

Is there a date set for the match against Neasden ? I will take a spin down to it likely.

[brokencrossbar1]

Throw ball has a point there i seen that incident where McConville was flattened in front of the ref, shoulder straight into the chest and not even a free kick. I also thought McConville was singled out a few other times and got nothing for it, I'm thinking Oisin wrote something in the papers about the ref a while back? but i suppose he and Cross got their reward in the end.

Cross were no Angels either and i thought Hanratty started the whole lot as whilst shaking hands with the other midfielder before the ball was thrown in he pulled his opponent into him and hit him with the chest. But the best team won and i wish Cross the best of luck in the All Ireland

You'll find that the Glenties man wouldn't let go of Johnny's hand and was trying to get him to rise.  They singled him and Titch from the throw in and tried to get them rattled a la Kennelly to Murphy.  The refereeing was shocking but these things happen in games and at the end of the day you take the rough with the smooth.  Tony was caught, other days you wouldn't be. He will learn from it and it is not the first time things like this happen. I have always said refereeing decisions generally don't win or lose games and the better teams can rise above poor refereeing and win the game on their own merits.   

I had a very detailed analysis there and someone rang me and I pressed the wrong button and lost it all.  I won't bother my head with doing it again.  Glenties didn't have the legs.  They put so much effort into containing us in the first half they had nothing left.  Cross can take hits all day and it doesn't really take much out of the players, also they have an excellent bench to make changes so they have a major advantage over many teams.  There is still a lot of work to be done to get the lads up to the level of AI winning but they are in the next round and that is all that matters.  Neasden Gaels will be tough to beat, any match in London is always hard but if the lads mind themselves over Christmas thenn they will be in a strong position.  Kilmacud will be favourites to win the Semi no matter who comes through but if it is our lads they won't feel daunted in any fashion.

Is there a date set for the match against Neasden ? I will take a spin down to it likely.

The chat last night was that it would be the last weekend in January.  I wonder if ungolarmagh may make the return trip to get a game

[fitzroyalty]

Fair play to Cross. They've been in 'bonus territory' since the Dromintee game, that'll probably continue until St Paddy's Day!

[umgolaarmagh]

No return trip for me BC1,

Theres a few other Ogs men on the Neasden Team eagerly waiting for this game

The game is down for the last sunday in Jan

[drici]

[drici]

Gr-Eight

● ULSTER FINAL CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS 2-09 NAOMH CONAILL 0-10


The reason for the twice postponed Ulster Final between Crossmaglen Rangers and Conaill was still very much evident as spectators wound their way to the end venue Breffini Park after Clones was deemed unplayable.

On arrival at the Cavan venue the pitch was in superb order, a credit to all concerned as it hosted both the junior and senior finals. A very good crowd turned up to see the modern day David v Goliath in football terms as first time finalist Naomh Conaill were trying to prevent Crossmaglen Rangers extending their unbeated Ulster final record to eight.

While the opening half did not go according to plan for the odds on favourites when the die was cast and they were down to 14 men, the men from Crossmaglen powered past the Glenties rivals.

The returned Jamie Clarke to the Rangers side, following a lengthy suspension was also seen as a great fillip to the Armagh Champions. So it proved as Jamie was selected as Man of the Match with a 1-2 to his credit and the vision and range of running to set up scores for colleagues none more than the Oisin McConville goal.

The old adage goals win games proved correct as the Donegal side mustered but one clear attempt at custodian Hearty, to which he stood firm.

'Scoring forwards win games' was the take from joint manager Tony McEntee who also said that the break at half time was crucial to get his team back on track. We have a very good panel of players and used them to get the result. Our aim at the start of the year has been fulfilled. The boys have worked very hard and can enjoy the Christmas break. We will not meet again until January. The London game is vital to us with the other provincial finals being played in January. Asked if managing or playing was the harder, he said "both were equally frustrating".

Cross settled the better as the match began with the nervous underdogs resorting to the concession of numerous needless frees in the opening minutes.

Midfielder Martin Rogan, ticked inside 10 seconds, picked up a very early yellow card before the opening score of the match arrived via the boot of the returned after suspension Jamie Clark. The Kernan brothers, Stephen and Tony combined to set up the games first point on four minutes.

Three minutes later, a misplaced free by Danny O'Callaghan saw Leo McLoone take full advantage as Naomh Conaill levelled three minutes following the lead point. Glenties had settled down and with centre half back and team captain Anthony Thompson leading the charge the Donegal men began to dictate.

McLoone was wide with an effort before seeing his next one come back off the upright. Glenties were rewarded with the lead when Dermot Molloy pointed a free following a foul on Dara Gallagher.

Up the other end an Oisin McConville effort was blocked out for a "45″ which fell short from Tony Kernan. In the ensuing scramble for the ball corner back Tommy Donognue was penalised and picked up a yellow card for the challenge. Oisin pointed the free to make it 2 all, 11 minutes in.

From the kick out Rangers raided with Tony Kernan and Mickey McNamee (in from the start from the selected programme team for Aaron Cunningham) setting up Jamie Clarke for a goal attempt. A great block from Donoghue (although a more than slight suspicion of a foot block) prevented the three pointer.

Naomh Conaill were back in front as Molloy converted a free for a foul on himself. Moments later the first turning point of the match arrived when Paul Hearty instinctively reacted to save a goal bound effort from Dara Gallagher. Rangers responded rapidly to the goal scare with telling effect as they immediately swept down field for a goal. Mickey Mac played a lovely ball over the top to Clarke who made no mistake this time, leaving goalkeeper Stephan McGrath helpless. 1-2 to 0-3 at the half's mid-point.

But instead of capitulating Naomh Conaill mounted a telling response to out score Cross 4-1 in the next quarter. A lovely Dara Gallagher point was the reply to the goal, three minutes later a six man move ended with midfielder John McLoone levelling matters 1-2 to 0-5 with a well executed score. With the bit between their teeth, as their half backs and midfielders broke forward in numbers, Naomh Conaill took the lead.

Brick Molloy punished a foul on Brendan McDyer with the lead point with seven minutes left on the short whistle.

In a rare attack Tony Kernan found Mickey McNamee with a free and despite close attention Mickey kicked the teams level for the fourth time in the half. The teams traded wides (their fourth each) as the first substituion took place, Francie Bellew surprisingly in for McNamee.

A foul on the very impressive Glenties Captain Thompson, who donimated the opening half, enabled Dara Gallagher to give the rank underdog a very worthy 0-7 to 1-3 interval lead. Indeed the half time whistle was the last thing that the Donegal champions needed to hear as they were clearly getting to grips with the daunting task which they faced.

Rangers substitute Bellew lined out at full-forward for the second half and saw immediate involvement winning the team a "45″ which was put wide by Tony Kernan.

Francie then gained possession and passed to Tony Kernan who knocked over a lovely point in what was to be an eventful and forgetful 4 minutes spell at the start of the second half. A yellow card for Tony for a high challenge was picked up before Molloy ballooned miles wide for Glenties. Then, a second yellow for Tony for an off the ball incident, reported by the linesman, saw Cross down to 14 men. Conaill captain misplaced a free deep in Cross territory and it was to have huge consequences for his team. Francis Hanratty raced away with the ball and let it off to Jamie Clarke who jinked inside a defender before unleashing a pin point crossfield pass into the arms of Oisin. The hitman ace marksman calmly slotted to the net for a most vital score 2-4 to 0-7.

Before the sending off and the goal occurred Cross had been trying to introduce two subs but the man with the numbers board, the fourth official, was not very official. A goal lead did not stop the introduction of Martin Aherne and Aaron Cunningham for the two Stephens, Finnegan and Kernan.

James Morgan and Leon Thompson picked up yellow cards before Cavan referee Joe McQuillian, who had not had a good day at the office, gave Johnny Hanratty a yellow despite him getting a punch from Molloy.

To compound Rangers dissatisfaction with the ref he gave Naomh Conaill a free for nothing, in front of the post. If the Cavan official deemed it a free it should have been a penalty as it was inside the square. Molloy pointed for his teams first score of the second half after 15 minutes.

Substitute Cunningham fed Clarke who sublimely pointed from play 2-5 to 0-8 as Rangers began to find space and time all over the field despite being reduced numerically. A McConville free extended Rangers lead 2-6 to 0-8 with 13 minutes left on the clock.

Rangers Management were still not satisfied as they brought on Kyle Carragher for Francis Hanratty. Naomh Conaill, who had dramatically lost their way from the break brought off Leon Thompson for Seamus Corcoran.


Oisin stamped the authority of the maestro he is with an outlandish point to put 5 points between the sides. John McEntee saw action, coming in for midfielder McKenna, with 6 minutes remaining.

Brendan McDyre pointed from play for Glenties as John McKenna entered the fray for John O'Malley. There was only one score between the teams when a Dara Gallagher free left it 0-10 to 2-7 with 2 minutes plus on the clock.

Naomh Conaill defence was hauled all over the field in the second half and a jaded Donoghue gifted Rangers a point for a foul on the lively Carragher. Aaron Kernan got on the score sheet by pointing the free.

2 minutes of added time gave Oisin a chance to repeat his early feat of yet another trademark super point to finish the scoring 2-9 to 0-10.

Rangers: Paul Hearty, Paul McKeown (C), Paul Kernan, James Morgan, Aaron Kernan (0-1), Danny O'Callagher, Stephen Finnegan, Johnny Hanratty, David McKenna, Jamie Clarke (1-2), Stephen Kernan, Francis Hanratty, Tony Kernan (0-1), Mickey McNamee (0-1) and Oisin McConville 1-4. Subs: Francis Bellew for Mickey McNamee, Martin Ahere for Stephen Finnegan, Aaron Cunningham for Stephen Kernan, Kyle Carragher for Francis Hanratty, John McEntee for David McEntee.

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath, Tommy Donoghue, Johnn Donner, Ciaran Boyle, Marty Boyle, Anthony Thompson (C), Eoin Waide, Martin Regan, Johnny McLoone, Brendan McDyre, Leo McLoone, Dara Gallagher, John O'Malley, Dermot Molloy and Leon Thompson.

Gr-Eight

Dec 1-1996-Crossmaglen Rangers 1-07 Bellaghy (Derry) 1-07

Dec 8-1996-Crossmaglen Rangers 2-05 Bellaghy 0-08 (replay)

Nov 22-1998-Crossmaglen Rangers 1-11 Bellaghy (Derry) 1-10

Nov 21-1999- Crossmaglen Rangers 0-10 Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) 0-09

Nov 28-2004-Crossmaglen Rangers 0-14 Mayobridge (Down) 0-09

Dec 3-2006-Crossmaglen Rangers 0-05 Ballinderry (Derry) 0-03 (One of the best days ever in Casey)

Nov 25-2007-Crossmaglen Rangers 1-09 St Gall's (Antrim) 1-06

Nov 30-2008-Crossmaglen Rangers 1-10 Ballinderry (Derry) 1-10 (Draw)

Dec 8-2008- Crossmaglen Rangers 0-12 Ballinderry(Derry) 1-04- (Replay)

Dec 12-2010- Crossmaglen Rangers 2-09 Naomh Conaill (Donegal) 0-10

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