IF THE RECENT history of the All-Ireland club senior football championship has proved anything, it’s that Crossmaglen Rangers have that winning mentality.
The Armagh giants have been back to the big dance five times since they claimed their first national title back in 1997. Many have come close to an upset — as fans of Ballina Stephenites and Dr Crokes will quickly remind you — but Cross always seem to find a way to prevail, with the exception of their sole loss to Kilmacud Crokes of Dublin in 2009.
A lot of the faces have remained the same, so maybe first-time finalists Garrycastle can learn something ahead of their big day this weekend.
Here’s the story of how Cross have dominated club football over the last 15 years.
1997: Crossmaglen Rangers 2-13 Knockmore (Mayo) 0-11
1999: Crossmaglen Rangers 0-9 Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) 0-8
2000: Crossmaglen Rangers 1-14 Na Fianna (Dublin) 0-12
2007 (replay): Crossmaglen Rangers 0-13 Dr Crokes (Kerry) 1-5
2011: Crossmaglen Rangers 2-11 St. Brigid’s (Roscommon) 1-11
