Clan na Gael delivered the shock of the weekend when they defeated defending Armagh county champions Crossmaglen 2-13 to 3-05 in Lurgan this afternoon.
With names like Oisin and Rian O'Neill on their squad list, it was little surprise that 6-time All-Ireland club champions went into the fixture as heavy favourites.
However, it was a day to forget for Armagh talisman Rian O'Neill, as a repeat of last year's county final saw the Armagh talisman miss a crucial 58th-minute penalty before being sent off in injury time.
While O'Neill is undoubtedly still coming off the back of his Sam Maguire victory celebrations, today's loss will come as a massive blow to a Crossmaglen side who have won 47 Armagh Senior Championships and no fewer than 11 Ulster titles.
Rian O'Neill sees red moments after missed penalty
While with ten minutes to play, it was O'Neill's Crossmaglen side who found themselves chasing a five-point deficit, a 56th-minute penalty for a clear takedown in the box looked set to offer the Armagh champions the lifeline they needed.
The responsibility fell to none other than the ever-reliable All-Ireland champion Rian O'Neill, who stood up to the spot with the chance to close the gap to two. However, despite O'Neill drilling it low and hard at the bottom left corner, Clan Na Gael's Ryan Conway was the hero of the day as he pulled off an outstanding save to deny O'Neill.
58 nóim @GAA_BEO@clannagael1922 2-13@crossrangers 3-05
An-shabháil ó chúl báire Chlann na nGael Ryan Conway!!
Rian O'Neill's shot is blocked by Conway! 🏐🫷Beo / Live ar @TG4TV 📺@Armagh_GAA #GAABeo pic.twitter.com/v6NzxkiHBk
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 18, 2024
As his side's chances of a last-minute comeback seemed to be resting on the hopes of a 61st-minute 45, O'Neill found himself front and centre of an altercation in plain view of the referee - who wasted no time dispatching his red card and ending O'Neill's day.
While it's unclear exactly what happened in the altercation, O'Neill's marker was quick to hit the ground and the referee seemed to be in no doubt about what had unfolded. Regardless of the circumstances, O'Neill will now miss at least his side's next Championship clash for the straight red.
Clan Na Gael secure massive upset with superb decisive goal
Despite the disappointment for the defending Champions, it was a huge coup for Clan Na Gael who showed outstanding resolve to see out the game.
Both sides opened the game trading blow for blow, but as Crossmaglen pulled away with a five-point lead after just twenty minutes, things seemed like the underdogs would be subjected to a long, tedious affair.
However, a steady third quarter saw Clan Na Gael claw their way back into the game before Shane McPartlan delivered a superb finish to launch his side ahead by four points.
47 nóim @GAA_BEO@clannagael1922 1-12@crossrangers 2-05
Cúl den scoth ó Shane McPartlan do Chlann na nGael.!
GOAL FOR McPARTLAN! 🔥
Beo / Live ar @TG4TV@Armagh_GAA #GAABeo pic.twitter.com/m6gyFBBWQg
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 18, 2024
McPartlan's goal proved to be the decisive moment, with the mountain it created proving too high a walk for Crossmaglen's intercounty stars.
While Crossmaglen will have the chance to keep their Championship hopes alive when they face Sarsfields next Sunday, they'll have to do it without the help of Rian O'Neill.
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