Crossmaglen have their county players available for the SFC, but will all eight of them be able to regain their places with the club? Manager Donal Murtagh must be delighted to have the four Kernan brothers, Paul Hearty, Francie Bellew, Oisin McConville and David McKenna at his disposal once more, but the twelve-in-a-row Orchard County kingpins just won a league title in their absence, so competition for places is intense: "The team has been playing very well in the league," the manager confirms. "We never lost a match. The McEntees and John Donaldson have been solid and we were able to give a number of last year's minors - Jamie Clarke, Francis Hanratty, Daniel O'Callaghan and Aaron Cunningham - a good run-out. "We also have Ryan Carragher back from the States, who has slotted very well into the corner back position. Johnny Hanratty has been doing a fine job at midfield and Mickey McNamee has impressed in the half back line." The Ulster club champions open the defence of their county crown against south county foes Dromintee at Carrickcruppen on Saturday. Tweet

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