CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS HAVE turned to one of their former All-Ireland winning bosses to guide the fortunes of the Armagh club giants in 2018.
Donal Murtagh was last night confirmed as the figure who will head up a management team that also includes Kieran Donnelly, Francis Fitzpatrick and Micéal Moley.
He takes over from Gareth O’Neill whose two-year reign came to an end after a 2017 season where Crossmaglen lost out at the Armagh semi-final stage to Maghery.
It marked the first time they have not reached an Armagh final over the course of consecutive seasons since 1994/1995.
Murtagh brings massive experience to the position and has enjoyed huge success with the club.
As a manager he guided Crossmaglen to three Armagh and Ulster titles between 2006 and 2008, while they lifted the All-Ireland club trophy in 2007 with a final replay win over Dr Crokes.
They lost out to Dublin clubs in the two seasons after that with a semi-final loss to St Vincent’s in 2008 and a final defeat to Kilmacud Crokes in 2009.
As a player Murtagh was also involved in Crossmaglen glory days. He won ten Armagh senior medals in succession and four Ulster club crowns.
Three times he tasted All-Ireland success in Croke Park with a victory in 1997 over Mayo’s Knockmore, a triumph in 1999 against Mayo’s Ballina Stephenites and a win in 2000 against Dublin’s Na Fianna.
Murtagh also had a spell with the Armagh management team as he assisted Paddy O’Rourke during his time in charge.
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