1890 An Ulster Final at Sprucefield

TODAY, the Sprucefield shopping complex just off the MI is a mecca for shoppers.

But some 130 years ago, the area of Blaris near Lisburn was the venue for the 1890 Ulster Final between two of the newcomers of the Ulster GAA scene.

That year saw Tyrone, who were represented by the Cookstown Brian Ogs club, reach what was the county’s first ever provincial decider. Standing against them were the Armagh Harps. Little details remains about the final, but the final scoreline was an emphatic enough win for Armagh on a score of 2-8 to 1-2.

Ulster GAA historian Donal McAnallen, has done extensive research on that final and the players involved, as well as pinpointING what he believes to be the actual venue which is located close to the M1 and within sound of the traffic going by.

A few years ago, the site of the former Maze prison was cited as a potential venue for a stadium catering for GAA, rugby and soccer.

If that had come to pass, then it may well have been a case of Ulster’s big occasion once again being staged in the same locality that has historic match of 1891.

1913 Antrim’s three-in-a-row

Imagine Antrim winning a three-in-a-row of Ulster titles. It might be unthinkable in the modern era considering that the Saffrons have to go all the way back 70 years to 1950 for their last title.

But back in the second decade of the 20th century, Antrim were the undisputed kingpins of Ulster. Indeed, so good were they at this time, that they also reached two All-Ireland finals in a row, unfortunately losing both to Cork and Louth respectively in 1911 and 1912.

In 1913, they were back again for more and travelled to Newbliss to take on Monaghan in the provincial decider.

Their win came on a final score of 2-1 to 1-2, but the report of the game in the Anglo Celt newspaper had a different look at the Antrim win.

“Well conducted and good humoured, they possess the knack of getting on with all crowds,” was their description of the Saffrons.

1920 Tyrone held scoreless

The Red Hands were once – in 2006 – held scoreless by Derry for the first half of an Ulster Championship game. However, exactly 100 years ago, they were held scoreless for an entire championship match against Armagh.

On that May Sunday in 1920, Tyrone could only field 14 players and ultimately lost by 2-1 to 0-0. One of their team on that occasion, Pat Loughran from Cookstown, died just over a month later after being fatally injured in an attack on Cookstown police barracks.

The game also took also took place against the backdrop of a time when the fortunes of the inter-county side were a lot lower down on the list of priorities. In total six of the Tyrone team who had been selected failed to turn up. Three of them from Fintona had an especially difficult time – they had set out by car for the game, only for it to break down about midway between there and Ballygawley.

They walked on into Ballygawley and got a second car, only to reach the venue just as the game was ending in defeat for the county.

1923 The Ulster Final of 1921 finally takes place

This year of 2020 is, perhaps, one of the strangest of all championships. However, the delay of about six months to this year’s race for the Anglo Celt is little compared to the delay which occurred a century ago. In fact, it took until October 1923 for the 1921 final to take place and 1923 was, of course, the year of three Ulster Finals.

The 1922 decider took place on May 20, the 1923 final was held on September 2 and, as all good things come in threes, the 1923 decider was then held on October 28.

It was between Monaghan and Derry, with Monaghan winning fairly comfortably by 2-2 to 0-1.

1939 The final in Croke Park

JUST three Ulster Finals have been re-located to Croke Park and the very first of them was back in 1939. But the background to the final between Cavan and Armagh was even more unique. It had originally been scheduled for Castleblayney and generated huge interest. With only about 10 minutes remaining and Cavan leading by two points, the crowd had encroached onto the sidelines.

Jim McCullough of Armagh went to throw a sideline ball, only to to be struck by a spectator, prompting the fans to take over the pitch.

The referee and stewards tried to get them off again so that the game could resume, but to no avail and the match was abandoned.

A special meeting of the Ulster Council took place later in the evening and the decision was taken to stage the refixed game for Croke Park on the same day as the All-Ireland semi-final between Kerry and Mayo.

1950 Early film footage and a memorable final

Cavan were the top team. Two All-Irelands in 1947 and 1948, and a third final appearance in 1949, made them hot favourites to defeat the newcomers from Armagh. But the Orchard county had just won an All-Ireland Minor title and weren’t in the slighest bit overawed. This final was a memorable one and also holds the distinction of being the earliest for which film footage of the game has survived.

The Ulster GAA history states that this was ‘one of the great Ulster Finals.’ One report offered the view that, if gaelic football could be played like this regularly, no other game could touch it.

Ultimately, Armagh caused a surprise by winning by 1-11 to 1-7, their first title for 48 years. Their players were carried shoulder high of the pitch and they were to win again in 1953.

1957 A first ‘Six-county’ final since 1912

For decades, the Ulster Final and indeed the title had been the preserve of Cavan. But the 1950s were to change all that and things would never be the same again.

This was emphasised in 1957 when two teams from the north qualified for the decider for the first time since Antrim and Armagh in 1912. Tyrone had made the breakthrough the previous year and were now back to defend their title against a Derry team led by Jim McKeever.

On this occasion, the Red Hands were to emerge winners by 1-9 to 0-10, but this Oak Leaf county side would be back for more and in 1958 they, too, would win the Ulster title for the first time.

1971 A classic at Casement

What a time to be alive. A packed Casement Park for an Ulster Final as the Troubles took an ever-increasing toll. Down, the stars of the sixties, against a Derry team built on youth glory at Minor and u-21.

This was a final to savour and all the more so that it was to prove to be the last played at the Belfast venue. What makes it even more special is the 4-15 to 4-11 final scoreline.

Ultimately, Sean O’Neill was to prove the hero for the Mourne county as they regained the title after two years.

He produced three acts of brilliance before an attendance of 25,000 to win an eighth provincial medal, creating the vital scores that made all the difference for Down.

Amazingly, they led by 3-11 to 1-7 at half-time, but Derry fought back in magnificent fashion on the resumption. Mickey Niblock scored 2-4 for them, and a certain Eamonn Coleman got a goal.

But it wasn’t enough as Down emerged as the winners and secure an eighth title since their first just 12 years earlier.

1984 The Frank McGuigan Final

Armagh and Tyrone were two of the dominant teams in Ulster in the mid-eighties. By the Centenary Year, the Orchard county were going for their fourth title in seven years, and hoping to add 1984 to those already won in 1977, 1980 and 1982.

Tyrone, under the management of Art McRory, had lost to Armagh in 1980 and suffered a shock exit against Fermanagh two years later.

Now they were back and so was Frank McGuigan. By the end of the game, his legend had been well and truly enhanced, scoring a record 0-11 all from play. Five with the left foot, five with the right and one fisted point earned Tyrone the title and the Ardboe player an unrivalled place in history.

2005 Back in Croke Park for clash of the titans

Armagh and Tyrone were two of the top three teams in Ireland by the middle of the 2000s. The Orchard county had won the All-Ireland in 2002, Tyrone followed that up in 2003. Now in 2005, it was decision time as both knew what was at stake.

Such was the interest in the game that Ulster GAA realised that, just as in 2004, St Tiernach’s Park in Clones wouldn’t be able to hold the expected attendance. So, the decision was taken to relocate to Croke Park for a game that captured the imagination.

It didn’t disappoint on the field either. The drawn game finished 2-8 to 0-14 and then Armagh came from behind to win the replay by 0-13 to 0-11.

A special time, capped by a final to remember!