‘We need to ramp it up’ says Crossmaglen captain Jamie Clarke ahead of the Senior Championship final

Crossmaglen will take to the field in Armagh this Sunday with hopes of claiming back-to-back Gerry Fegan titles, but they may need to step up their performance levels if they are to do so.

Having topped their Championship group, Cross appeared to be building nicely, but they were given stiff tests in both the quarter-final and semi-final stages.

In the last eight, having trailed by a point in stoppage time, Cross needed extra-time to overcome Armagh Harps. Last time out, they were all square with Madden with five minutes to go, before a late onslaught saw them run out six point winners.

Ahead of the final, Crossmaglen captain Jamie Clarke says that the team have been ‘building nicely’ but it’s now time to ‘ramp it up’.

“It seems as though we have been building nicely, and have just been going up through the gears,” he said.

“Against the Harps and Madden, we didn't perform to our best I don't think, but we got over the line, which is what Cross teams do.

“But there is definitely a better performance in us, and we will be looking at those games thinking that we need to ramp it up.”

Regarding the final minutes of the game against Madden, where Cross were able to step it up and come away with the win, Clarke praised the attitude of the team, as they found a way to overcome an ‘excellent’ Madden challenge.

“We didn't want to leave it too late, because you saw what happened against the Harps,” said Clarke. “You can easily be pipped, and I thought Madden were excellent to be fair. That's the best I have ever seen Madden perform, and you could tell that they really went for it.

“For us, we felt as though we were at 70 or 80 percent of our max performance, and there is more in us.

“I think when the game was in the melting pot, we got that attitude of 'right, it's time to push on here boys'. There seems to be a telepathy with us, and Cross teams in general, of knowing when it's time to kick into gear.

“There are boys who are probably disappointed with how they have been performing so far, including myself. But we know that we're capable of stepping it up, and putting in a performance for the club and for the town.”

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Captain fantastic

If Cross can indeed defeat Clan na Gael this weekend, the man lifting the Gerry Fegan trophy above his head will be Clarke, as he has been the team’s captain this season.

Regarding the role, Clarke believes that he needs to be a leader for the young players in the team, and he is keen to create an environment where his teammates are able to be honest with each other.

“Of course you feel more responsibility deep down,” said Clarke. “I try not to show it, and I don't act differently – I'm still myself. I suppose it's just a case of having a good understanding with the boys.

“As one of the older players, it's about understanding the different dynamics within the group and showing empathy and emotional intelligence.

“Some boys are different than others and there is no right or wrong answer. Sometimes somebody needs an arm around the shoulder, sometimes somebody needs shouted at.

“It's about managing that correctly, and providing a platform for younger players to say if they're not feeling well, or if there is something up that they're honest with you, and they're not just saying things because you're the captain.

“There are a lot of leaders in this team and when you put on the black and amber jersey, we're all the one.”

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‘They have a lot of quality’

Standing between Cross and a fourth title in the last six years are Clan na Gael – the same team who denied Anthony Cunningham’s side victory in the opening group game in the Championship, as Shane McPartlan netted a goal with the last shot of the game to rescue a draw.

Since then, the Lurgan side have been riding a wave of momentum which has seen them defeat Mullaghbawn, Sarsfields, Dromintee, Killeavy and Clann Eireann to reach the final for the first time since 2006.

Clan na Gael weren’t one of the obvious contenders coming into the Championship, and even as recently as the quarter-final stage had odds of 20/1 to win it, but Clarke says based off their initial meeting, the Cross players knew that Clan na Gael had the ability to reach the final.

“Having played them in our first game, it is no surprise that they have reached the final,” he said.

“When we went down there, there was a great atmosphere and you could tell that the club were buzzing about Cross coming to town.

“The first game was a long time ago now. This game is taking place in the Athletic Grounds, so it’s a neutral pitch, a bigger pitch and a great atmosphere. We’re just preparing as well as we can, and if we can put ourselves in the best position to put in a performance, that’s all we can ask for.

“There is a lot of expectation within their club, and they have a lot of quality with the likes of Stefan Campbell, Shane McPartlan and young Callum O'Neill. I imagine they're going to be very confident, and we're going to have to be on top of our game to ensure that we get over the line."