SCOTSTOWN PUSHED CROSSMAGLEN all the way in a close-fought Ulster final, but a brief lapse in concentration proved to be their downfall.
Cross led 1-14 to 1-12 early in the second period of extra time before Scotstown keeper Rory Beggan tried to take a short kick-out quickly.
Given the appalling weather conditions, it wasn’t the best idea and as the ball bobbled loose, Jamie Clarke was able to react quicker than any defenders.
Scotstown might well argue that they should have had a free but there was no whistle and Clarke collected the ball and carried towards goal before spinning away from the tackle of Sean Mohan.
As Beggan tried to make amends by closing the gap, Clarke then popped the ball across the square to where Kyle Carragher was waiting to finish to the empty net.
It gave Cross a five-point lead with five minutes to play and, although Brian McGinnity scored a second Scotstown goal late on, that was the final margin.
