Little success came during the �Hungry Thirties.� The Wall Street crash put a halt to emigration, with many exiles coming home. They later flooded to Britain, when the war led to a shortage of labour.

But the Crossmaglen club did win three County Championship titles, in 1933, `36 and `37. They withdrew from all competitions in 1936, because Tir na n-Og had a successful objection. Ten Rangers players transferred to Cullaville. And Cullyhanna also pulled out, because of rowdy scenes at a match against Middletown.

That squad consisted of Patsy McConville, Michael and Harry Cumiskey, Owney Kearney, Kevin O�Callaghan, Gene Morgan, James Hughes, Tom Clarke, Paddy Cumiskey, Benny Brooks, Bertie Regan, Paddy Ahern, Tom Duffy, Paddy Eardley, John Martin, Paddy short, Frankie McKenna, Joe Fitzpatrick, Pat John McShane, Frank McCready, Tom Matt Clarke and James Morgan.

1949 was an historic year, being the 40th anniversary of Rangers GFC foundation. And it also marked the purchase of the club�s own grounds, which would be the centre of so much controversy over the past 30 years.

What a great contrast followed in the 50�s, with the official opening of the Crossmaglen Rangers Hall in 1953, followed by the St Oliver Plunkett GAA Park in 1959. However, it was the only decade in the history of the club that they never won a Senior County Championship title or the McKillop Cup, - then the league trophy. A split in the club during 1952, along with emigration, left talent in short supply.

Then, with the appointment as club secretary of John Martin, who had played for club and county, the tide began to turn. Indeed, the 60�s were one of the greatest decades in its 100-year history. They won five Senior Championship titles between 1960 and `68, and an equal number of league and tournament triumphs.

But there was trauma in 1964, when three of the Rangers� inter-county players, - Thomas McCreesh, Paddy Duffy and Hughie Casey, - were sent to the line during the first round of a Senior Championship game against Armagh Harps at Killeavey. Still Cross� won. The referee had to be escorted to the line. However, the three players turned out in match, two nights later, were spotted by a County Board official, and reported to the Ulster Council.

Rangers requested an investigation into the earlier game, but the majority of the Ulster Council rejected this. Hugh Casey was suspended for 12 months, Paddy Duffy for two months and Thomas McCreesh for one month. The Crossmaglen club withdrew from all competitions in the county, until the suspensions were lifted.

Despite the long absence, Rangers gave scintillating displays in the 1965 County Championship, which they went on to win. The panel was: Mickey Rushe, Owen McShane, Thomas McCreesh, Seamus Morgan, Paddy Fitzpatrick, Hughie Casey, Seamus Mallon, Kevin Halpenny, Larry Kearns, Gene Hanratty, Paddy Duffy, Pat Murphy, Brian Morgan, Patsy Shields, Mick McCreesh and Paddy Cumiskey.

Two great rivals, Crossmaglen Rangers and Carrickcruppen, contested the 1966 County Senior Championship Final. But, despite the best efforts of players like Danny Kelly, Owen Cromie and Tony Bennett, �Cruppney were defeated by 4-11 to 0-5. The following year, Rangers made it three-in-a-row, beating Wolfe Tones by 0-12 to 0-3.

The 70�s were a troubled decade, even though Rangers collected three county senior crowns in 1970, �75 and �77. Club president, Monsignor Tomas O Fiaich was appointed Primate of All-Ireland; Con Short was elected President of the Ulster council; John O�Reilly became chairman of the County Board, and Gene Larkin was elected chairman of the Football Board.

However, the British Army�s occupation of St Oliver Plunkett GAA Park began in 1971; the Cross� side were beaten in the first round of the County Senior Championship, and was relegated to Division Two. On the credit side, the minor squad won the county championship for the first time.

Joe Kernan was appointed captain in 1975, with Con Short as vice-captain. They beat Armagh Harps in the first round, and went on to win the County Senior Championship for the 21st time. But they fell to Carrickcruppen in `78 and `79. All-Star awards were conferred on Joe Kernan, Gene Morgan and Thomas McCreesh, who had played for Armagh in the All-Ireland Final against Dublin.

Though the club broke little delph in the 80�s, only winning the County Senior Championship in 1983 and `86, they were unique in that they organised the first-ever tour of the USA. And also the club president, Archbishop Tomas O Fiaich, was appointed as a cardinal. But the GAA Centenary Year of 1884 passed without a county championship success at any grade.

Certainly, Crossmaglen Rangers have been punching their weight over the past decade, in terms of County, Ulster and All-Ireland Club Championship titles. The boys in black and amber have also made a powerful contribution to the Orchard county�s historic conquest of the Sam Maguire Cup, with hopes of a double at least.

Also, the wheel has turned full circle from those early days, when members of the G.A.A. were denounced by Cardinal Logue. Not too long ago, a new stand at St Oliver Plunkett Park was named in honour of a president of Crossmaglen Rangers G.F.C., the late Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich!

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