Crossmaglen Rangers Club Notes 30/03/20
#Clubtogether
Valuing The Volunteer; Seamus Murtagh
What year did you take over as part of the backroom team with Cross Seniors?
I joined the back room team of the senior squad in 1993 when Joe Kernan was manager. I was there until 1995 when unfortunately my father died suddenly and I stepped down but was still a lineman.
I returned as kit man after we won first the first All Ireland and there I remained until I retired in 2019.
How many managements have you been involved with?
Can you list the roll of honour and many achievements in your time as part of the background team?
What is your best memory?
I think it would have to be 2007 because that was the year we saw the combination of two teams, you could say it was the ‘changing of the guard‘, young guns coming in along with the old stalwarts and what a perfect combination it was. Also on a personal level, my Brother, Donal along with Martin Califf were the managers in 2007 and my nephew, John played, so it was wonderful occasion for our family also.
Over the twenty plus years, you have been involved, who would you say was the greatest player?
There have so many great players over the years, Kernan Brothers, McEntee twins, Jim McConville, I could go on and on but for me the greatest player of his generation, If not the best ever who have played the game is Oisin McConville. Oisin was forever present and reliable. These two remarkable qualities and are what is needed to win matches.
Over the years we have had many a battle, which game in particular that stands out for you as the greatest and why?
The greatest game for me was the 2011 All Ireland SF, when we played Kilmacud Crokes in Páirc Tailteann, Navan. We were six points down on two occasions but the boys showed immense courage and hunger, they never give up, they dug deep and secured a victory by two points. It was a fantastic victory.
Out of all the teams we have encountered over the years, who would you have the most respect for ?
I would have to say Ballinderry. We had some very memorable matches, tight encounters which went down to the wire and could of went either way. They were memorable battles.
Out on the field, on many occasions his kick outs were kicked out to me even though i was just the lines man!
I’m going backtrack now, Hertz was one of the best in the game.
As you hang up your jerseys, what is the thing you will most most?
I will miss being part of a close knit team and management, as the saying goes club is family but I’m looking forward to watching from the stands but I have a feeling I’ll probably still be on the line with a flag in my hand.
Reminiscing With A Ranger
Eugene, your late Father, Gene in 1926 was the last Cross Rangers man who captain Armagh. Did he speak about this accolade and what it meant for him and the club?
Yes it was a great honour for my Father to Captain Armagh in 1926 but he didn’t speak about it too often. The following year, Armagh were playing Cavan in Belturbet, it was a league match. During the match, Cavan player, Jim Smith accidentally collided with Jamsie Kernan. Jamsie was seriously injured and was removed to Cavan hospital where he died that night. This really knocked the bottom out of the players and football in Cross for a long time. My Father often spoke about earlier times in the club. Due to the troubles, there was no football in 1921. In 1922, there were two teams in Cross and great rivalry. The Plunkett’s had players like Jamsie Kernan and Red Paddy Maguire, Rangers had players like Tommy Luckie and Jamsie Morgan. The championship was played like a league series, Plunkett’s won their games, Rangers won their games and so the final would see both teams play. Rangers had him advantage, McConville’s field on the Blaney Rd (near where Tommy Quinn’s is today). Patsy McConville, the Undertaker owned the field. The Friday before the game, Red Paddy Maguire visited my Father to say they wouldn’t be playing unless they got fifty percent of the gate. Discussions continued and Paddy said a tenner would be sufficient and the game could go ahead. He got £5! The game was played on the Sunday, £60 was taken at the gate and the Rangers won. Mass emigration the following year saw the Plunkett’s fold, Rangers amalgamated and we went on to win the championship in 1923/24.
Is there any games in particular that stands out in your mind as special or significant?
Eugene, who were the greats of the game in your time and what team were your greatest rival.
There were great players on the team, Morgan Brothers, Caseys, Patsy McConville Mick O’Hanlon, Gene Larkin, Tom McCreesh Patsy Kieran to name a few. The Morgan house was a fantastic footballing house. As I said, Carrickcruppen were the in team at the time.
What was the training regime like in your day?
Training was you turned up to play and your practice was the warm up.
Do you think the game has changed for the better or for the worse?
Field Sign
Sponsoring a field sign is an ideal way of supporting the club as well as promoting your business. A sign costs £400 for five years. (We will provide the sign). Please contact Joe Kernan for more details.
Happy birthday
Condolences
Posted: March 29th, 2020 under Club News.
