{{more footnotes|date=August 2013}} {{Short description|Armagh-based Gaelic games club}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox GAA club | club gaa = Crossmaglen Rangers GAC | crest = Crossmaglen Rangers GAC logo.png | irish = Raonaithe na Croise | county = Armagh | nickname = Cross or Rangers | colours = {{color box|black}}{{color box|gold}} Black and amber | grounds = St Oliver Plunkett Park<br/>(''Páirc Oilibhéir Pluincéid'') | coordinates = {{coord|54|04|29.68|N|6|36|32.86|W|display=it|region:IE_type:landmark}} | founded = 1887 | province = Ulster | f1 = 6 | f2 = 11 | f3 = 47 | pattern_la = _borderonblack | pattern_b = _blackstripes | pattern_ra = _borderonblack | pattern_so = _hoops black | pattern_sh = _adidasonwhite | shorts = ffa800 | leftarm = FFC125 | body = FFC125 | rightarm = FFC125 | socks = FFC125 | kit1 = Home Kit | kit2 = Change Kit | pattern_la2 = _goldshoulders | pattern_b2 = _thingoldsides | pattern_ra2 = _goldshoulders | pattern_so2 = _hoops black | leftarm2 = 000000 | body2 = 000000 | rightarm2 = 000000 | shorts2 = 000000 | socks2 = ffa800 | pattern_sh2 = _adidasgold| }} '''Crossmaglen Rangers Gaelic Athletic Club''' ({{langx|ga|Raonaithe na Croise<ref name="Crossmaglen">[http://www.crossrangers.com/?page_id=169 Crossmaglen Rangers GAC]</ref>}}) is a [[Gaelic Athletic Association|GAA]] club in [[Crossmaglen]], [[County Armagh]], [[Northern Ireland]]. They cater for [[Gaelic football]] and [[camogie]]. Their home football ground is St. Oliver Plunkett Park, which was opened in 1959. In 1971 the [[British Army]] took possession of a portion of the ground despite opposition from the club and the [[Irish Government]], and this led to a controversy regarding the British Army's conduct.<ref name="breakingnews">[{{Cite web |url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheycwkfqlau/ |title=GAA urged British Army's Crossmaglen {{sic|with|drawl|nolink=1}}{{!}} BreakingNews.ie |access-date=19 March 2008 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207144208/http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheycwkfqlau/ |url-status=dead }} GAA urged British Army's Crossmaglen {{sic|with|drawl|nolink=1}}| BreakingNews.ie]</ref><ref name="historical-debates.oireachtas.ie">{{Cite web |url=http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/S/0103/S.0103.198405020007.html |title=Seanad Éireann - Volume 103 - 2 May, 1984 - Adjournment Matter. - Crossmaglen GAA Grounds |access-date=2008-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607104703/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/S/0103/S.0103.198405020007.html |archive-date=2011-06-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The club have won the [[All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship]] on six occasions. They have won the [[Ulster Senior Club Football Championship]] 11 times and won the [[Armagh Senior Football Championship]] 47 times.
==History== Founded in 1887 as '''Crossmaglen Red Hands''', the club did not acquire its present name until 1909. The Red Hands claimed the [[Armagh Senior Football Championship]] in 1887 through default by [[Keady Michael Dwyer's GAC|Keady Dwyers]]. After a period of inactivity due to political differences, the Red Hands reaffiliated in 1905, when Owney Martin became the first Crossmaglen player to join the county team.<ref name="Newry">[http://www.newrymemoirs.com/stories_pages/relandpolsplitgaa_1.html Newry Memoirs] feature on GAA</ref> In 1906 the Red Hands won their first contested Championship final, defeating [[Shane O'Neill's GAC|Shane O'Neill's]] by 1-4 to 6 points.<ref name="SFC">[[Armagh GAA]], ''Clár Oifigiúil'' (programme), Senior Football Championship Final, 6 October 2012</ref> They also won the All-County League.<ref name="Newry"/> After further political controversy, the Red Hands split, and a new club called '''Creggan Rovers''' emerged to win the 1908 championship, defeating [[Armagh Harps GFC]] by a point.
The modern '''Crossmaglen Rangers''' club started only in 1909. Rangers soon made their presence felt, however, winning the Championship in 1911, 1912 and 1913,<ref name="archives.tcm.ie">{{Cite web |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/thekingdom/2007/03/08/story23478.asp |title=The Kingdom - 2007/03/08: The battle of the black and ambers<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622082645/http://archives.tcm.ie/thekingdom/2007/03/08/story23478.asp |archive-date=2011-06-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Hoganstand.com - Profile">{{Cite web |url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Armagh/Titles.aspx |title=Hoganstand.com - Profile<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302185139/http://www.hoganstand.com/Armagh/Titles.aspx |archive-date=2007-03-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> overcoming, respectively, Shane O'Neill's, the Harps and [[Culloville Blues GAC|Culloville Sons of O'Connell]].<ref name="SFC"/>
In 1918, political divisions in the district disrupted both the Rangers and nearby [[Culloville Blues GAC]], leading to the creation of '''Crossmaglen Plunketts''', supported by [[Irish republicanism|republicans]], and '''Clonalig Dillons''', supported by [[Irish nationalism#World War I and the Easter Rising|Redmondites]].<ref name="Newry"/> The Armagh championship was not played from 1919 to 1922, at the time of the [[Irish War of Independence]]. When it resumed, however, Rangers won five successive Armagh senior championships, completing the first five-in-a-row in the competition. This feat went unequalled until Crossmaglen achieved it again in 2000.<ref name="Hoganstand.com - Profile"/>
In 1929 the Rangers' Jamesy Kernan (uncle of [[Joe Kernan (Gaelic footballer)|Joe Kernan]]) died in hospital from injuries sustained in an on-field clash with Cavan [[Garda Síochána|Garda]] Jim Smith during an [[Ulster Senior Football Championship|Ulster]] semi-final at [[Belturbet]]. Smith was charged with murder, but the case was dismissed.<ref name="Newry"/>
Rangers won further titles in 1933, 1936 and 1937. The 1940s were to prove a more frustrating decade for Crossmaglen, their only county senior title being in 1947. The 1950s were still more difficult for Crossmaglen, being the only decade of the twentieth century in which they did not win an Armagh Championship.<ref name="Hoganstand.com - Profile"/>
After this, however, the club's fortunes revived considerably. Rangers captured five Championships in the 1960s (1960, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967), in addition to several league titles. Further Armagh Championships were won in 1970, 1975, 1977, 1983 and 1986.<ref name="Hoganstand.com - Profile"/>
Crossmaglen Rangers regained the County title in 1996 after a lapse of ten years, beating Clan na nGael 3-12 to 1-4. Since then, they have been completely dominant in the tournament, retaining the title every year since, with the only exception being 2009. In this period, they have won eleven [[Ulster Senior Club Football Championship]]s (1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015). They have gone on to win the [[All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship]] six times, in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2011 and 2012.
The club fields underage teams from U-10 to U-21 as well as Senior, Junior and 'B' teams. Ladies football and camogie are played in the club, with the camogie teams in particular achieving much success in recent years. The seniors play in the [[Armagh Senior Leagues]] and [[Armagh Senior Football Championship]].
On 19 October 2008 the club won their 13th [[Armagh Senior Club Football Championship]] in a row by defeating Pearse Óg. This was a national record. This unbeaten run came to an end in 2009 when they were defeated by eventual champions Pearse Óg at the quarter-final stage.
In 2010 a new look Crossmaglen team emerged and regained the Armagh Senior title, they then went on and regained the Ulster Championship before completing the season with yet another All Ireland Title in 2011 defeating [[St. Brigids (Roscommon) GAA|St Brigid's]] from Roscommon in the final to claim their fifth All Ireland club title.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2011/0317/1224292483207.html|title=Crossmaglen win fifth All-Ireland|date=2010-03-18|work=Irish Times|access-date=2011-03-29}}</ref> In 2012 they retained the title by defeating [[Garrycastle GAA|Garrycastle]] from Westmeath after a replay to claim their sixth championship.
==St Oliver Plunkett Park== Crossmaglen Rangers homeground is St. Oliver Plunkett Park ({{langx|ga|Páirc Oilobheir Pluinceid}}), which was officially opened on 19 April 1959. The Armagh GAA county team have played inter-county games there.
In 1971, in the early years of [[The Troubles]], part of Crossmaglen's property at St. Oliver Plunkett's Park was requisitioned by the British Army for a military base despite attempts by the club and the Irish [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland)|Department of Foreign Affairs]] to prevent it.<ref name="historical-debates.oireachtas.ie"/> The club grounds were subsequently damaged by the movement of vehicles.<ref>[http://www.crossrangers.com/?page_id=169 Crossmaglen Rangers GAC] History</ref> With the end of The Troubles in 1998, the club regained possession of the grounds and have embarked upon a series of development programs.{{fact|date=October 2022}}
In recent times, the club has purchased more land to develop additional senior standard playing facilities. Extensive renovations on the Rangers Hall were completed, and the then GAA President [[Jack Boothman]] opened the new Social Club Complex.<ref name="archives.tcm.ie"/>
==Notable players== * [[Francie Bellew]], [[Armagh county football team|Armagh county team]] player, 2003 [[GAA GPA All Stars Awards|All Star]] All Ireland Winner Armagh 2002, National League 2005 * [[Paul Hearty]], Armagh county team player, 19 County Senior Club Championships, All Ireland County Championship Winner Armagh 2002, National League 2005 * [[Aaron Kernan]], Armagh county team player, All Ireland U21 County Winner 2004, National League 2005 * [[Joe Kernan (Gaelic footballer)|Joe Kernan]], winner of two GAA All Stars 1977 & 1980 - replacement 1982, Armagh manager, Ulster Manager, Ireland Manager * [[Seamus Mallon]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/oral-history/video/seamus-mallon/|title=Seamus Mallon|work=Oral History|date=3 February 2011|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902222629/https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/oral-history/video/seamus-mallon/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Oisín McConville]], winner of two [[GAA GPA All Stars Awards|All Stars]], the all-time top scorer in [[Ulster Senior Football Championship|Ulster Senior Championship]] history; also holds a national record for playing 103 [[Armagh Senior Football Championship]] games in succession * [[John McEntee (Gaelic footballer)|John McEntee]], All-Ireland winner Armagh 2002, National League 2005 * [[Tony McEntee]], All-Ireland winner Armagh 2002, National League 2005 * [[Gene Morgan (Gaelic footballer)|Gene Morgan]] All-Ireland team 1954, * [[Oisín O'Neill]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oisin O'Neill: Lining out for Crossmaglen is a privilege|url=https://www.gaeliclife.com/counties/armagh/armagh-club-football/oisin-oneill-lining-out-for-crossmaglen-is-a-privilege/|last=Casey|first=Shaun|website=[[Gaelic Life]]|date=21 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Oisin O'Neill among experienced trio expected to start for Crossmaglen|url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2021/09/25/news/oisin-o-neill-among-experienced-trio-expected-to-start-for-crossmaglen-against-madden-raparees-2458336/|newspaper=[[The Irish News]]|date=25 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Oisín O'Neill wants young Cross players to leave a mark|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/oisin-o-neill-wants-young-cross-players-to-leave-a-mark-1.4060706|last=O'Riordan|first=Ian|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=24 October 2019}}</ref> * [[Rian O'Neill]]<ref>{{Cite web|title='See youse in two weeks' – Rian O'Neill hails Armagh's sensational extra-time win over Kerry|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/see-youse-in-two-weeks-rian-oneill-hails-armaghs-sensational-extra-time-win-over-kerry/a1798810231.html|website=[[Independent.ie]]|date=13 July 2024}}</ref>
==Football titles== ===Senior=== * '''[[All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship]]''' (6 times): ** 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012 * '''[[Ulster Senior Club Football Championship]]''' (11 times): ** 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/crafty-crossmaglen-rangers-survive-scotstown-scare-368740.html |title=Crafty Crossmaglen Rangers survive Scotstown scare |access-date=30 November 2015 |work=[[Irish Examiner]] |date= 30 November 2015}}</ref> * '''[[Armagh Senior Football Championship]]''' (47 times): ** 1906, 1908, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1947, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1983, 1986, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/cross-win-again-but-mcentee-wants-more-210883.html |title=Cross win again but McEntee wants more |date=2012-10-15|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref> 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=203187 |title=Armagh SFC final: Cross cruise to another title |date=2013-10-21|work=[[Hogan Stand]]|access-date=2012-10-21}}</ref> 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Armagh/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=226194|title=Armagh SFC final: Cross' crush Harps for another title |date=2014-10-19|work=[[Hogan Stand]]|access-date=2014-11-02}}</ref> 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/crossmaglen-rangers-march-to-19th-title-in-20-seasons-358836.html |title=Crossmaglen Rangers march to 19th title in 20 seasons |date=12 October 2015|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref> 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/murtagh-hails-exceptional-crossmaglen-display-37443696.html|title=Murtagh hails 'exceptional' Crossmaglen display |date=22 October 2018|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=22 October 2018}}</ref> 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/ulster-club-round-up-crossmaglen-rack-up-45th-armagh-title-1.4057085|title=Ulster club round-up: Crossmaglen rack up 45th Armagh title |date=20 October 2019|work=[[Irish News]]|access-date=20 October 2019}}</ref> 2022,<ref>{{cite web |title=McConville shines as Crossmaglen reign again in Armagh |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2022/1023/1330879-mcconville-shines-as-crossmaglen-reign-again-in-armagh/ |publisher=RTE.ie |access-date=26 October 2022 |date=23 October 2022}}</ref> 2023
===Under-21=== * '''Armagh Under-21 Football Championship''' (12 times): ** 1977, 1979, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017
===Minor=== * '''Ulster Minor Football Championship''' (1 time): ** 2015 * '''Armagh Minor Football Championship''' (11 times): * 1971, 1977, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018{{fact|date=March 2025}}
==Ladies football titles== Started in 1996
===Armagh Ladies Senior Championship=== '''Intermediate (6 times)''' * 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
===Junior=== * 1997 (RU), 1998
===Minor=== * 2018 (Cross 7:15 Granemore 1:04){{fact|date=March 2025}}
==Camogie titles== * '''[[All-Ireland Junior Club Camogie Championship]]''' (1 time): ** 2003 * '''Ulster Junior Club Camogie Championship''' (1 times): ** 2003 * '''Armagh Senior Camogie Championship''' (1 times): ** 2003
* '''Armagh Intermediate Camogie Championship''' (1 times): ** 2018
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.crossrangers.com/ Crossmaglen Rangers Homepage] *[https://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/310664 "A picture that shows the battles Crossmaglen GAA faced in the 70's"]. 3 June 2020.
{{Armagh GAA clubs}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crossmaglen Rangers Gac}} [[Category:Crossmaglen|Rangers]] [[Category:Gaelic games clubs in County Armagh]] [[Category:Gaelic football clubs in County Armagh]]