Armagh SFC: Rian O’Neill hits stunning haul as Crossmaglen seal quarter-final berth 

The Armagh star scored five two-pointers as Crossmaglen came from behind to defeat their south Armagh neighbours Silverbridge on Saturday night

A remarkable individual haul of 0-14 from Armagh star Rian O’Neill helped Crossmaglen book their place in the Armagh SFC quarter-finals as they defeated neighbours Silverbridge 1-21 to 0-15.

With the visitors playing with a strong wind in the first half, Cross were forced to come from behind to seal their place in the last eight while the Harps crashed out of the Championship after finishing bottom of Group C on scoring difference with St Peter’s and Granemore progressing to the preliminary quarter-finals.

Tiarnan Murphy, Tom Hamill and Sean Rock were all on target as Silverbridge looked to make the most of their advantage in the first half as they lead 0-12 to 0-3 at the break.

However, the second half was a totally different prospect as they added only three more points to their tally as Rangers gradually reeled them in.

O’Neill led the charge with a series of excellent two-pointers and, with 11 minutes remaining, Cross had drawn level, 0-15 each.

Another two-pointer from O’Neill edged them ahead and Cian McConville drew them further clear before a goal from Darren McDonnell put the game beyond doubt in stoppage-time.

O’Neill finished up with five two-pointers in total, although his brother Oisin has played no part in the group stages as he continues to recover from the calf injury that forced him to miss the latter part of Armagh’s Championship campaign.

Defending champions Clann Éireann are also through to the quarter-finals after a facile win over Armagh Harps on Friday night.

Pascal Canavan’s men remain in the Championship along with Carrickcruppen with Dromintee exiting after finishing bottom of Group D.