It's the ultimate in contrasts as the most successful club in Ulster football history bids to extend its advantage at the top of the honours list against a club who are in the final for the first time.

It all adds up to what will be a glamour occasion in the Athletic Grounds, Armagh next Sunday (3.0 pm) when Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) take on Kilcoo (Down). It will be preceded at 1.15pm by the intermediate football final between Cookstown (Tyrone) and Warrenpoint (Down). The Ulster junior football final will be played on Saturday evening (6.0) when An Port Mor (Armagh) take on Brackaville (Tyrone) in Pairc Esler, Newry.

Crossmaglen, the reigning All-Ireland champions, are seeking their 10th Ulster title and their second treble in seven seasons, having won the 2006-2007-2008-2010-2011 titles. It's a great run by the black-and-amber men, whose form in the current campaign suggests they are as strong as ever as they attempt to remain on course for their sixth All-Ireland crown.

Crossmaglen have never lost an Ulster final in a remarkable run, during which they have beaten opponents from Antrim Down, Derry, Donegal and Fermanagh. Their nine wins came against Bellaghy (Derry) in 1996-98, Ballinderry (Derry) in 2006-2008, Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) in 1999, Mayobridge (Down) in 2004, St. Gall's (Antrim) in 2007, Naomh Conaill (Donegal) in 2010 and Burren (Down) in 2011. If they win the title for the 10th time on Sunday, they will move five clear of Burren (Down) on the Ulster honours' table.

The Ulster final is new territory for Down champions, Kilcoo who reached the big day with wins over three-times Ulster champions, St. Gall's (Antrim) in the semi-final and Ballybay (Monaghan) in the quarter-final. Crossmaglen Rangers beat Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone) in the semi-final and St. Eunan's (Donegal) in the quarter-final. Down forward, Conor Laverty is Kilcoo's best-known player as they take on a Crossmaglen team with several household names, including the Kernan brothers, Oisin McConville and Jamie Clarke.

Kilcoo are attempting to become the third Down club to win the Ulster title, following in the footsteps of five-time winners, Burren and Bryansford.

How they got here...

Crossmaglen Rangers 3-11 St Eunan's (Donegal) 1-7

The Armagh men were five points clear (1-6 to 0-4) at half-time and won the second half by 2-5 to 1-3.

Crossmaglen Rangers 2-10 Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone) 0-10

Cross' kept up their good form with a six point win over highly rated opponents. They trailed by a point at half-time (0-8 to 1-4) but won the second half by 1-6 to 0-2.

Top scorers (2 games)

Oisin McConville....0-9 (0-6 frees)

Aaron Kernan.........1-3 (0-2 frees)

David McKenna.....1-2

Jamie Clarke...........1-1

***

Kilcoo 0-13 Ballybay (Monaghan) 0-7

Jerome Johnston and Darragh O'Hanlon were top scores for Kilcoo, who led by 0-6 to 0-3 at half-time.

Kilcoo 1-9 St. Gall's (Antrim) 0-10

A great win for Kilcoo against vastly more experienced Ulster campaigners. Kilcoo trailed by a point at half-time and by three points early in the third quarter before finishing strongly to edge home by two points.

Top scorers (two games)

Darragh O'Hanlon.....0-6 (0-2 frees)

Paul Devlin................0-5 (0-3 frees)

Jerome Johnston .......0-4


AIB GAA Ulster SFC club: Where the titles have gone

9 - CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS (Armagh) (1996-98-99-2004-2006-2007-2008-2010-2011)

5 - Burren (Down) (1983-64-85-87-88)

4- Scotstown (Monaghan)

3 - Bellaghy (Derry)

3 - Clan na nGael (Armagh)

3 - St.Gall's (Antrim)

2 - Ballinderry (Derry)

2 - Castleblayney (Monaghan)

2 - Errigal Ciarain (Tyrone)

2 - Lavey (Derry)

1 - Ballerin (Derry)

1 - Bryansford (Down)

1 - Dungiven (Derry)

1 - Loup (Derry)

1 - Mullaghbawn (Armagh)

1- St. John's (Antrim)

1 - St.Joseph's (Donegal)

County breakdown: Armagh 13; Derry 10; Down 6; Monaghan 6; Antrim 4; Tyrone 2; Donegal 1; Cavan 0; Fermanagh 0. Tweet

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