By Shaun Casey

THINGS couldn’t be much tighter at the top of Division 1A. Crossmaglen’s victory over league leaders Killeavy last weekend brings them back into title contention and Cian McConville says his side will be going after it.

Killeavy remain at the top of the pile with 18 points to their name. Cross, Clann Eireann and Madden all sit just below them on 16 points, leaving an exciting finale in store at the end of July.

The teams will get a few weeks to plan for their last two games as they enter the July break and Crossmaglen plan to come out all guns blazing.

“It’s nice to get the two points, it’s tough coming to Killeavy,” said McConville following their one-point win.

“There was a big breeze, and it was dirty conditions so there was a lot of slipping and sliding.

“We’re happy to get the two points. It was a hard-hitting game, and it was probably an enjoyable game to watch, it was definitely enjoyable to play in.”

Killeavy led by six at the interval, but a fine McConville goal helped the Rangers get back into contention and Paul Hughes proved to be the hero on the night as he fired over the game-winning score at the death.

“We might have had another goal if we had of got an advantage, but the goal was probably fortuitous enough, it ended up getting over the line so I’m happy enough with that,” McConville added.

“Killeavy have a young team there, they have a couple of strong runners, so they managed to get a few scores on the break. Playing against the breeze probably suited them at times and we just had to up the ante.

“We tried to press them out further and win the ball higher up and that created a few chances for us, like the goal, we won the ball along the endline, so it just shows you get rewarded for pressing up high now too.”

In terms of going after the league title, McConville insists his side want to get their hands on the trophy. They finished in second place last season, losing out to Clann Eireann, who they face in the final round this year.

“It’s a long time since we won the league so it’s definitely there for us if we go after it in the next few weeks. Obviously Clann Eireann and Madden are on the same points and it’s all very tight, it’ll make for a good finish.”