10, 20 and 30 years ago: A look through the archives

10 YEARS AGO

HOLDERS Dublin and Mayo played out a draw in the All-Ireland SFC final after finishing level on 2-9 to 0-15 in a riveting decider at Croke Park.

A super effort by both sides in challenging conditions was epitomised by almost super-human effort as these great rivals slugged it out right to the end.

Two bizarre own-goals by Kevin McLoughlin and Colm Boyle handed the advantage to Dublin, but Cillian O’Connor held his nerve to shoot a brilliant equaliser in the seventh minute of stoppage time to save the day for the westerners.

Meanwhile, Kerry became the first county to twice complete a treble of All-Ireland Minor Football Championship titles, overcoming Galway in the curtain-raiser at Croke Park. First-half majors from Sean O’Shea and David Shaw opened up a six-point lead at the interval, and a stunning goal from David Clifford killed off Galway with 10 minutes remaining.

20 YEARS AGO

KERRY collected their second All-Ireland SFC title in three years, demolishing Mayo 4-15 to 3-05 as the westerners’ All-Ireland final demons continued to haunt them at Croke Park.

None of Mayo’s key forwards performed and their half back line was given a comprehensive roasting.

The game was put to bed early on, Mayo falling 2-04 to no score behind, just 13 minutes into the fray.

With Mayo’s defence ripped asunder, early goals from team captain Declan O’Sullivan and Player of the Year contender Kieran Donaghy set the scene for Jack O’Connor’s men and the rest of the game was basically a procession.

In the Minor final, meanwhile, Roscommon snatched a draw at the death against Kerry, the game ending 0-15 apiece.

30 YEARS AGO

IT was a busy weekend on the club front and here’s a taster:

St Paul’s overcame a second-half sending off and a late Cargin rally to win the club’s second Antrim Senior Football Championship final. Unfortunately the game was marred by an unseemly half-time scuffle in which players, subs, officials and even a few spectators were involved.

In Cavan, Gowna won their third county title with an impressive six-point win over Mullahoran.

On the provincial front, two goals in the final 10 minutes eased Cushendall into the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship final in a 2-15 to 1-7 win over Dungiven.

In the other semi-final, Portaferry proved too strong for Keady, winning by 5-9 to 1-7.

And on the county scene, Galway won their first ever All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship with a 4-8 to 1-15 victory over Cork.