Blessing goal inspires Crossmaglen to 48th Armagh SFC title

Crossmaglen Rangers' Aaron O'Neill is challenged by Conor O'Neill of Killeavy ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Crossmaglen Rangers are Armagh senior football champions once again after defeating Killeavy 1-19 to 0-17 in a gripping decider at the Athletic Grounds, securing their 48th county crown and first since 2023.

Killeavy started brightly as Fergal Boylan and goalkeeper Shea Magill landed two-pointers to put their side in front. Cross' responded with the O'Neill brothers, Oisin, Rian and Aaron, to the fore for them as they took in a narrow 0-10 to 0-8 advantage into the interval.

The sides exchanged scores throughout a lively second-half, with Ciaron O’Hanlon and Aron Magennis helping Killeavy regain the initiative. However, Pearse Blessing supplied the game’s defining moment when he finished an Oisín O’Neill pass to the net, giving Crossmaglen a crucial advantage.

Boylan briefly hauled Killeavy back on level terms with another two-pointer, but Blessing continued to make his mark, including a superb two-point effort late on. Further scores from Oisin O’Neill and Cian McConville helped Cross' establish breathing space.

Killeavy pushed hard in the closing stages, but Crossmaglen stood firm to lift the Gerry Fagan Cup and deny their opponents a first Armagh senior title since 1948.