Crossmaglen and Armagh legend Kernan hangs up the boots

CROSSMAGLEN and Armagh legend Aaron Kernan has decided to call time on his illustrious club career.

During his 23-years in the black and amber, Kernan won it all. He finishes his career with 18 county medals, 8 Ulster titles and 3 All-Irelands.

Kernan, son of legendary Armagh player and manager Joe, retired following his sides five-point defeat to Trillick in the first round of the Ulster Club Championship.

“I had mind made up completely, that’s it,” explained the 2005 Young Footballer of the Year after the game.

“To be fair I’m 40, I’ve just given everything. You’d love to change it but the hunger’s not there. I’ve given everything and it’s family and that’s it.”

Crossmaglen failed to score in the second half of their 9-4 defeat and Kernan felt that one-point could have turned things around.

“One point, all it needed was one point,” added Kernan, who won an Ulster and All-Ireland title with Armagh u-21s in 2004.

“We probably had a few half chances, balls tailed wide and that, but they weren’t nearly as clear cut as what we had created in the first half.

“They were nearly snap shots but just one point, that’s all it takes. It gives you a bit of a breather, it gives you a wee bit of confidence.

“But the longer the half went on, the more it was draining from us, the more we were losing shape and then the more energy it was giving them. To be fair to them, they picked off some lovely scores.

“They were very good in possession; they didn’t give the ball away when then didn’t give us any opportunity to get back up the field and get a score. It’s so hard to explain and it’s so hard to take but it is what it is.”