Rufus T Firefly
Well-Known Member
A very enjoyable game with many similarities to last year's final. Congratulations to Rangers on a thoroughly deserved victory and commiserations to the Nab. I thought the Nab gave it their best possible shot and can have few regrets. When Jack Grugan followed up his goal with a fisted point, I really thought the gauntlet was being thrown down to Cross. However they responded in magnificent fashion, reeling off nine points in a ten minute period to take a stranglehold of the match. The Nab might regret a shot for a point that came back off the post - the ball was quickly moved down the field for a Rangers' point. Although it was 'only' a two point swing at that stage, a Nab point then might have checked the avalanche of points Rangers were racking up. Who knows? The two late goals put a gloss on the victory that flattered Cross.
Why did Rangers win? Although I thought they were quite lethargic for a lot of the game, they moved up through the gears when they had to and put the game beyond the reach of the Nab. The reality is that Cross have better players across the pitch than the Nab and it counted yesterday.
Cross are unquestionably number one in Armagh, but on the evidence of what I have seen I am not so sure they can dominate Ulster. I sense they do not have the strength of old and the clubs in the chasing pack have also gone backwards in terms of ability - St Pates, Maghery and ourselves certainly.
I'll be intrigued to see their Ulster Club challenge and whether they can lift their game to meet stiffer challenges.
Given the early demise of Collegeland and Grange, it would suggest that the standard of club football in our county is indeed at a low ebb, so a run for Rangers would be a boost for the County's fortunes.
Why did Rangers win? Although I thought they were quite lethargic for a lot of the game, they moved up through the gears when they had to and put the game beyond the reach of the Nab. The reality is that Cross have better players across the pitch than the Nab and it counted yesterday.
Cross are unquestionably number one in Armagh, but on the evidence of what I have seen I am not so sure they can dominate Ulster. I sense they do not have the strength of old and the clubs in the chasing pack have also gone backwards in terms of ability - St Pates, Maghery and ourselves certainly.
I'll be intrigued to see their Ulster Club challenge and whether they can lift their game to meet stiffer challenges.
Given the early demise of Collegeland and Grange, it would suggest that the standard of club football in our county is indeed at a low ebb, so a run for Rangers would be a boost for the County's fortunes.