It was a day mixed with emotion and relief for Crossmaglen Rangers as they returned to the summit of Armagh club football for the first time since 2023.

Cross claimed the Gerry Fagan Cup for the 48th time when accounting for Killeavy in the decider at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, winning by 1-19 to 0-17. The O'Neill brothers played their part in the success with Oisín and Aaron scoring 0-09 between them while Rian was also central to things from his corner-forward berth.

Killeavy, managed by former Orchard star Stevie McDonnell, proved to be sticky opponents, building up a five-point lead early on and then responding well to Pearse Blessing's goal for Rangers in the second half. But they ultimately fell short.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the game, Oisín O'Neill paid tribute to Killeavy, saying: "We didn't play our best today and it wasn't pretty. Killeavy dug in and fought and fought . There were a couple of times we thought we were away but they kept coming back.

"We eventually got there and the young lads stepped up; Pearse Blessing got some massive scores and what Kealan McEntee done today after coming on, remember he is still at school, was just unbelievable.

"We're delighted we got over the line and sometimes finals are not about fancy football. It was body on the line stuff and I think we dealt well with what they threw at us."

The memory of those who passed was also foremost in O'Neill's thinking as he remembered his late grandmother Margaret McConville and former player Caolan Finnegan who passed away after an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2024.

"We've buried two unbelievable people in our club and our community since we last won this," he said.

"It was just relief at the end to win it. I never felt so much pressure going into a game like I did all week. What some of the younger lads have been through after burying their best friend. Some of them were only 18, Caolan was 20. It was our aim at the start of the year to get back to a county final.

Brother Rian also spoke about the added significance of Sunday's triumph.

"This group has been through a lot and sometimes those dark days will make you want to do it for a higher purpose than yourself," he added.

"It's great to see the smiles on the faces of Crossmaglen supporters again. We want to drive this club on again because for 20 years we were the pinnacle of clubs in Ireland but it doesn't always stay that way.

"Teams get better, we lost players and lads emigrated. We're trying to drive it on and inspire the next generation of Cross players because it's a massive tradition where we come from."

Next up is an Ulster campaign, where the 28-year-old is confident they will give things "a rattle".

He also hinted at a possible inter-county return after sitting out 2026.

"I love playing for Crossmaglen and putting on the black and amber jersey. We'll see when the club campaign is over about Armagh.

"I love playing for Armagh. I missed out last year for my own reasons but the hunger is back. Absolutely I'd be keen to get back. Teams aren't back until after Christmas so we'll worry about that when we come to it."