IN THE ARCHIVES: Derry football in disarray while New York come close to epic shock

By Niall McCoy

10 YEARS AGO

NEW York came agonisingly close to pulling off what would have been possibly the greatest football shock of all time before losing to Roscommon by the minimum in their Connacht clash in the Bronx.

The Rossies had travelled over on the back of an excellent showing in Division One, but they needed a score from Senan Kilbride as the clock ticked into the red to escape with the win.

Clones man Darren Freeman caused Roscommon’s defence major problems as the Exiles came close to a first championship win in the competition – one that would come against Leitrim a few years later.

Donegal u-21 boss Declan Bonner had his 24-week proposed suspension halved to 12 weeks on appeal.

The Tir Chonaill man and current Fermanagh boss was sanctioned for comments made to referee Barry Cassidy following their Ulster loss to Tyrone.

The Ulster Hearings Committee also rescinded the fines proposed for the counties for their part in a melee, but they were warned about their future conduct.

Down brought Derry’s Christy Ring Cup hopes to an end with a 1-18 to 1-15 win in Owenbeg.

Ruairi Convery’s free in additional time seemed to signal extra-time, but Down hit a flurry of late scores to take the win.

20 YEARS AGO

DERRY football was in disarray as Paddy Crozier and his management team stepped down – temporarily at least – just a few weeks out from their Ulster opener against Tyrone.

The move came after the county board refused to defer county league fixtures leaving Crozier with a depleted squad for a scheduled challenge game with Dublin.

Intensive talks took place over the following days however, and Crozier returned to the side-line for what would prove to be a famous day against the Red Hands.

Tyrone’s Anglo Celt dreams would end, but their hopes of retaining the Sam Maguire also took a serious hit as chief play-maker Brian McGuigan broke his leg while on club duty with Ardboe.

The collision happened five minutes from the end of their clash with Dromore with an ambulance required and the game abandoned.

Donegal’s hopes of Division Two honours came to an end as Louth claimed a three-point final replay win in Cavan.

Eamonn McEneaney’s side were too good for the Ulster outfit with Mark Stanfield hitting 1-2 and Paddy Keenan playing a starring role.

The Armagh hurlers claimed the Division Three title with a 3-10 to 1-11 win over Longford.

Declan Coulter, Ryan Gaffney and Martin King grabbed the goals.

30 YEARS AGO

DERRY made it back-to-back Division One crowns as they eased past Donegal 1-16 to 1-9 at Croke Park.

It was a feisty encounter that was close for three quarters, but the Oakleafers powered clear in the final quarter with Anthony Tohill finishing his day’s work with a 1-5 haul.

It wasn’t all bad for Donegal as they claimed the All-Ireland vocationals title with a 2-13 to 3-9 win over Kerry in the warm-up act.

Aodh Brennan and Peter McHugh grabbed their goals with the likes of Michael Hegarty and Barry Monaghan impressing.

Peter Canavan faced an anxious wait to see if he could line out for Tyrone in their Ulster opener against Fermanagh after he was sent off for Errigal Ciaran against Trillick.