Experience, craft and sheer physical strength ensured that Crossmaglen Rangers remained as Armagh's Senior county football champions for the fourth consecutive year at the Athletic grounds yesterday.

Against a youthful but committed Pearse Og, the Rangers teamwork and cohesion proved decisive.

Bouyed by superb performances from Jim McConville and full forward Gavin Comiskey, the reigning Ulster and All-Ireland club champions carried too much threat for a Pearse Og side that battled fiercely throughout.

Og defended tenaciously with Armagh county Star Kieran Hughes, working tirelessly both in defence and attack and Eugene O'Hagan an inspirational captain.

Veteran Ger Houlihan and 17-year-old Darren McAuley occasionally threatened to unhinge the Rangers defence.

but they were undenied the quality ball that flowed to their opposite numbers. At half-time Crossmaglen led by 1-5 to 0-3 their goal coming shortly before the break from Oisin McConville who also contributed two points with brother, Jim adding another two.

Further points from the McConville brothers McEntee and Shortt eased the Rangers into a comfortable position as Pearse Og for all their enthusiasm were forced to surrender.

CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS: P Hearty; M Califf, D Murtagh, G MCShane; F Shields, F Bellew, J Donaldson; J McEntee (0-1), A Cunning]ham (0-1); C Shortt (0-1), T McEntee (0-1), O McConville (0-4); J McConville (0-3), G Comiskey, C O'Neill. Subs: M Moley for Comiskey; O McEntee for J McConville.

PEARSE OG: T Lavery; C Rafferty, S Maxwell, S Hughes; T CLarke, E O'Hagan, M Cullen; K Hughes, B Gordon; Declan McAuley, D Fields, L O'Neill; Darren McAuley 0-4, G Houlihan (0-2), R Clarke.

Subs: V Brady for T CLarke, R Toner for L O'Neill.

Referee: Seamus Mac Aodh