O’Neill’s return has given Crossmaglen a huge lift says Cian McConville

Reigning champions ​Crossmaglen are hoping to reach a sixth consecutive Armagh Senior Football Championship final, when they take on Madden this weekend.

However, they almost didn’t even reach this stage, as they trailed Armagh Harps in stoppage time in their most recent fixture. Thankfully for the Rangers, they were able to dig out a 0-21 to 2-12 win after extra-time, and corner forward Cian McConville believes that the nature of that win will stand to the team.

“It was definitely a tough game, but it was possibly one that we needed,” he told the Newry Reporter.“In our previous two games we had won by double figures. Looking back, at the time it was a scare, and we could have been knocked out. But it could stand to us; you don’t mind getting those types of games, as long as you get out on the right side of the result.

“When you’re pushed to the pin of your collar, that’s when you find out a lot about your team, and thankfully we had enough character, resilience and quality to get over the line.”

For McConville personally, the quarter-final represented his best game yet in the Championship, as he totalled 0-7.

“I have been ticking along alright, but it was nice to get the scores,” he said.“I would challenge myself to try and contribute to the team as much as possible. Some days that’s running, tackling and winning dirty ball, some days it requires scoring.”

Crossmaglen won the Championship last season, but they did so without one of their best players Oisin O’Neill – who missed the entire year with injury.

However, he has come back into the fold in recent months, and his Championship displays have added an extra dimension to the competition’s favourites.

“The lift that he has given us is plain for everyone to see,” said McConville.“If you saw the work he has been putting in, you wouldn’t be surprised at how well he is playing. He has serious work ethic, and he has been building towards this.

“Now that he is back out on the field, he is taking every advantage of it. He was brilliant against the Harps, and he has been brilliant since he came back in.”

Cross will be favoured as usual on Sunday, but Madden will be no pushovers. Mickey Grimley’s side have a stifling defence, and shut down a potent Ballymacnab forward line in an impressive 1-8 to 0-6 quarter-final win.

“They had a very professional win over Ballymacnab,” said McConville. “They never really looked in doubt.

“Madden have been a top four or five team in Armagh over the last five years, so it’s definitely not a surprise that they’re in the latter stages of the Championship.

“We are under no illusions that it’s going to be a serious battle, because they beat us in the league. They’re tight defensively and that’s what they set out to do. So, that’s something we’ll have to be prepared for.”