McEntee says Opponents Shot Themselves in the Foot

Crossmaglen ace John McEntee says Clontibret’s failure to use their numerical advantage and convert their scoring chances were key to Rangers’ successful first round defence of their provincial title last Sunday.

The Armagh kingpins edged home by a single point in a game that finished with referee Martin Sludden having to be escorted off the field after he blew the final whistle in injury time as Clontibret launched a last-gasp attack.

"It’s a funny sort of thing when 14 men beat 15," said the club and county star as he reflected on the match in Clones. "But the blame lies with them (Clontibret) really. They didn’t use their man well. He didn’t make much of a difference at all.

"I don’t really know what happened (at the end of the game). They weren’t pleased that the referee blew the whistle up.

"But it was well over time. They had a chance to kick the ball over the bar and they didn’t do it."