On Friday night we welcomed Maghery to St Oliver Plunkett Park. The fixture was to be played last month but was cancelled as a mark of respect for the late Gerry Moley.

A fast flowing game which saw some excellent scores from both sides. Maghery settled quickly scoring two points in the opening minutes of the game. Oisin O’Neill converted a free to get us off the mark. Just before the midway point of the first half, the away side registered two more points to extend their lead. We went on a scoring spree, six unanswered points and with minutes to go until half time, we led by three. But now it was Magherys turn to go on a scoring spree, two points (1,F) before Maghery scored their first goal of the night. A super score from Mel Boyce reduced the deficit to just the bare minimum and as the game entered injury time, Maghery slotted over a point to leave the score at the break;

Maghery got off to a dream start shortly after the second half commenced, a goal and a point helped to extend their lead but we responded, Oisin O’Neill scored a point before Mel Boyce fisted the ball into the Maghery net to register our first goal of the match to leave two between the sides once again. Paudie kicked over a point to bring it back to a one point game before a super pass from Tomas Hughes to Shane McConville who booted the ball into the oppositions net to give us the lead once more but again this was to be short lived, Maghery scored their third goal of the night and they regained the lead by the narrowest of margins. We had a number of missed opportunities whereas any opportunities Maghery got they capitalised on them. As the game entered the last quarter Philip Conway awarded Maghery  a penalty which they scored to put them in a commanding position with full time only minutes away. Maghery pushed on with the finishing line in sight, five points without reply to secure their lead and to put the game out of our grasps. A point a piece from Mel Boyce and Colin O’Connor brought the scoring to a close.

On Thursday night Crossmaglen Rangers had a very special visitor. A man whose prolific career has spanned over sixty years and has earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Records, a man who has brought Gaelic games to life in homes through radio when there were was no television or social media. His unique style of broadcasting is exceptional. A proud Gaeilgeoir, a proud Kerry man, a globe trotter and a best selling author, the one and only Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
It is no surprise Mícheál is known as the Voice Of Ireland, his soft spoken delivery and iconic Kerry accent is engaging and captivated the audience in the Rangers Hall on Thursday night.
Mícheál has a phenomenal memory and can clearly recall dates, figures and matches from many years ago.

Mícheál qualified as a teacher and one day by chance he saw an ad posted by Radio Telefis Éireann looking commentators. Mícheál went for the interview which was to last five minutes, his interview lasted fifteen. Following the interview he was informed that he had got the position and would he commentate on a railway cup game in six days time. Six days later he commentated on the game, the year was 1949, his love affair  with broadcasting began that day and is still continuing today in 2019.

He spoke about the many interesting people he has encountered on his journey through life, taoisigh, political leaders, some who had connections to the men of 1916 but the people he spoke most passionately about where the men and women who take to the fields of Ireland to represent in their club and county with pride. Mícheál said it gave him the greatest pleasure to see teams win who never before had succeeded in claiming silverware, this he said was the greatest thing about Gaelic games, that sometimes against the odds you can succeed. He spoke in depth about Seamus Darby, the famous Offaly goal scorer, who crushed Michael’s beloved Kerry’s dream of five in a row in 1982.

His motto through life has always been to keep looking forward never back and that we never know what the future may hold.
Everyone in the hall on Thursday night had an opportunity to meet Mícheál and get their photo taken.

Well done to Paul, Rían, James, Jamie, Oisin and the entire Armagh team & management on a super win against Down on Sunday.

We send our very best wishes to our loyal supporter, Joan Shields.

Get well soon Joan.

A reminder to everyone who has appointments, the Big Bus will visit the Rangers Hall on Friday morning.

The entire Crossmaglen Rangers club send our deepest sympathies to Fr Sean’s Brother, Seamus, the extended Hegarty family and our fellow Gaels, O’Neill’s GFC, An Port Mor on the recent sad passing of Fr Sean, former Armagh senior manager, player and close friend of Crossmaglen Rangers.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

The entire Crossmaglen Rangers club send our sincere sympathies to Eileen’s Son,  Andrew, Daughters Teresa, Rosie, Patricia, Catherine & Ann and the extended Nolan & Rushe families on the sad passing of their Mother.

The Rushe family have a long affiliation with the club.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Crossmaglen Rangers send their deepest condolences to the Hamill & Farrelly families on the recent sad passing of their Aunt, Kathleen.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.