Crossmaglen battle back for victory
GAA
Defending champions Crossmaglen came from seven points behind to reach yet another All-Ireland Club SFC final with a 3-8 to 2-8 win over Dr Crokes of Kerry at Portlaoise.
It was Crokes who bossed the opening quarter, racing into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead with a goal from Daithi Casey.
But Cross hit back with Michael McNamee goal, and by the halfway stage they had cut the deficit to two points, 1-6 to 1-4.
Stephen Kernan blasted home a second goal for the Armagh men, but was later sent off.
Chris Brady slotted home a second goal for the Munster champions, but 14-man Crossmaglen finished with an Aaron Kernan goal to set up a St Patrick's Day meeting with Garrycastle of Westmeath.
Garrycastle were 1-11 to 1-9 winners over St Brigid's of Roscommon in the other semi-final, with Dessie Dolan hitting a match-winning seven points tally.
St Brigid's led by 1-6 to 0-7 at half-time, after Karol Mannion had netted a penalty.
But Dolan hit three points early in the second half, and they took control after James Dolan bagged a crucial goal.
Despite the dismissal of midfielder David O'Shaughnessy, Garrycastle held on, with Dessie Dolan slotting over a late insurance point.
Press Association
