By Shaun Casey

WHEN the draw was made for the Armagh Senior Championship quarter-finals, there was one match up that stood out above the rest. That’s the eagerly awaited tie of reigning champs Crossmaglen and 2023 All-Ireland Intermediate winners Cullyhanna.

Both sides will firmly believe that they can go all the way, but Sunday evening will be the end of the road for one of them. Cullyhanna topped their group to advance straight to the last eight, while the Rangers were forced to take the scenic route.

A first-round defeat to Clan na Gael sent Crossmaglen through to the playoffs but they head into Sunday’s showdown in good form having won three games on the bounce, including last week’s playoff victory over Silverbridge.

It’s going to be a tough task claims Cross midfielder Stephen Morris: “It’s our fourth week in a row next week but I think, with the three boys coming back after winning the All-Ireland with Armagh, you probably need the games to integrate them then again.

“That’s what you want as a player, you want to get in games every week so we’re happy enough with that. It’s going to be a big challenge for us now, any team left is a massive challenge.”

Despite trailing 1-4 to 0-1 midway through the first half last weekend, the Rangers battled their way back into contention and were just one behind at half time. They pushed on after the turnaround and saw off the ‘Bridge by five.

“We wanted to get the win against Silverbridge and get through to the quarters and we are where we want to be now. We got off to a bad start with their goal, which was my own fault, but the boys just hung in there.

“We knew we needed to control the ball more after how we have played in the last few games, so we just stuck with our plan and grinded out a couple of points. Our goal before half time obviously was a big help, it was good to go in at half time just one down.

“There was a wee bit of a wind, and it nearly plays on your mind that you’re kicking into a strong wind, we got a couple of good scores, but we have a lot of things to work on as well for next week.”

While Cross have a number of star names on the team sheet, none more so than the O’Neill brothers, Oisin and Rian, along with Cian McConville, Anthony Cunningham’s men certainly aren’t over reliant on anyone for scores.

Morris, who kicked 0-2 from centrefield, was one of ten different scores that split the posts last weekend. Aaron O’Neill, younger brother of Oisin and Rian, claimed both of their goals on the night.

“The management wants that; they want everyone on the ball and everyone able to take their points when they get the opportunities,” added Morris. “There are no real positions in football anymore, everyone’s up and down so you have to be comfortable on the ball too.”