Crossmaglen Rangers remain on course for their 13th Armagh county football title on the trot but only after surviving a late scare against a gallant Armagh Harps side in yesterday’s pulsating semi-final at the Athletic Grounds.

It was in a dramatic finish that Harps came close to finishing all-square when referee Michael Leonard turned down their claims that the ball had crossed the Rangers line in a last-gasp attack as the match finished on a rather controversial note.

Rangers, starting a championship match for the first time in 13 years without the injured Oisin McConville and also missing the elegant Stephen Kernan, quickly set out their stall and within the first 10 minutes had put 1-3 on the scoreboard — Tony Kernan netting from his sixth minute penalty at the second attempt after goalkeeper William McSorley had parried his first effort.

In contrast, Harps were left to rue their misfortune when Kevin Kelly drilled a 10th minute penalty wide to give Rangers a reprieve and with Jamie Clarke effective, he landed two points — the holders exhibited their customary dominance.

Aaron Kernan completed their first-half scoring with a brace of points as Harps, who brought Charlie Vernon out to bolster their midfield and summoned Gareth Swift out to the ‘40’, strove to stem the tide with Tyrone All-Ireland winner Colin Holmes leading their resistance.

But although Kelly made some amends for his penalty miss by scooping two points and the busy Joe Quigley landed another, the city side were unable to trouble a solid Rangers defence unduly.

Harps, though, were much more organised and focussed in the second-half with Swift exerting a strong influence. When Quigley pilfered their goal, Harps found an even higher gear with Kelly joining him in causing all kinds of problems for the Rangers full-back line.

It took a brace of points from Aaron Kernan and a similar contribution from the exciting Jamie Clarke to steady the Crossmaglen ship but Harps, working tenaciously, stayed in touch. Their midfield authority and the assurance of Holmes helped to maintain their momentum and had it not been for some wretched luck, the city side might well have taken the game to a replay.

In the other semi-final, Pearse Og, inspired by county ace Ronan Clarke, overcame Killeavey by 0-13 to 0-9. Clarke hit seven points for the winners while his brothers Ross and Conor also got on the scoresheet while Aidan O’Hare (0-3) and Ger Byrne (0-2) got the lion’s share of the Killeavey scores.

Crossmaglen Rangers: P Hearty; R Carragher, F Bellew, P McKeown; A Kernan (0-4, all frees), J Donaldson, P Kernan; T McEntee, J Hanratty; M Ahern, J McEntee, M McNamee (0-1); T Kernan (1-4), C Short, J Clarke (0-4). Substitutes:S Kernan for McNamee, K Carragher for Short, S Finnegan for P Kernan.

Armagh Harps: W McSorley; M McConville, M Gill, K Morris; M McCoy, C Holmes, N McArdle; S Morrison (0-1), G Richards; E Toal, C Vernon, P Holmes; K Kelly (0-3), G Swift (0-4), J Quigley (1-2).

Referee: Michael Leonard