ARCHIVE: Donegal and Kerry engage in running battles as Offaly nearly pull off incredible comeback

10 years ago….

DONEGAL and Kerry’s discipline let them down as the duo got involved in a spiteful running battle in Tralee with the Kingdom eventually emerging winners on a 1-13 to 1-8 scoreline – but the headlines weren’t too concerned with the result.

The battles started from just four minutes with a flashpoint emerging after Kieran Donaghy and Michael Murphy jumped for a hop ball, and they continued right through to the finish.

Alan Fitzgerald was sent off moments later for striking Neil McGee. The Donegal man would ultimately earn a one-match ban arising from the incident too after video footage was used to show him interfering with his opponent’s hand. The Tir Chonaill man has since labelled the incident as one of the biggest regrets of his career.

Leo McLoone was sent off 24 minutes in for a glancing blow as the skirmishes continued to flow with 59 frees awarded in all and the two points staying in Tralee.

Tomás Corrigan scored a brilliant 1-11 – a real feat in the pre-FRC era – as Fermanagh hammered Laois.

It was the Erne County’s 11th straight win on home soil with Pete McGrath’s side winning 1-17 to 0-10.

Tyrone were another side clocking a comfortable win as they destroyed Derry 2-15 to 0-12.

Derry moved 0-4 to 0-2 ahead early on, but Tyrone led 0-10 to 0-6 at the break. Goals from Seán Cavanagh and Aidan McCrory in the second half saw the Red Hands ease home.

The one-sided affairs continued, with Cavan blitzing Armagh 3-18 to 0-10 on home soil.

Seanie Johnston and Gearoid McKiernan bagged 1-5 apiece as Orchard boss Kieran McGeeney suffered a humiliating 17-point loss.

Down boss Eamonn Burns confirmed that Benny Coulter had withdrawn from the Mourne County panel after their heavy loss to Roscommon.

20 years ago….

OFFALY had the unfortunate reality of not scoring in the first half of their Division 1A clash with Dublin in what turned out to be a manic game.

Paul Caffrey’s side led 1-7 to 0-0 at the interval, and Offaly didn’t score until the 52nd minute.

However, in a crazy finale, they hit three goals with Darren Magee deflecting to his own net in the 67th minute and Ciaran McManus quickly hitting a brace. In the final seconds, McManus kicked a 45 towards goal, but Stephen Cluxton came and claimed as Dublin won 1-10 to 3-2.

Speaking of goal blitzes, Armagh had 2-1 on the scoreboard in the first 12 minutes of their win over Galway at Crossmaglen – Joe Kernan’s side eventually winning 3-14 to 2-7.

Stephen Kernan grabbed the first goal on his home patch after just five minutes and Stevie McDonnell got in on the act soon after.

Paul McGrane, a monster throughout, added a third goal soon after the break and Armagh finished strongly quelling any thoughts of a late Tribe revival.

Graham Geraghty took in Meath’s one-point win over Laois, but he remained away from the squad after a dispute with manager Eamonn Barry.

It was understood that Barry wanted an apology from Geraghty before returning after comments allegedly made to a referee in a challenge game with Antrim.

30 years ago….

ANTRIM claimed a notable league win as their hurlers defeated Dublin 0-13 to 1-6 at Casement Park.

The result meant that the Saffrons would move up to Division One, and would secure a quarter-final spot, if they were to get the better of Laois in their next game.

Conor McCambridge landed five frees for the winners who missed a series of good goal chances but were not made to pay.

The Down hurlers, meanwhile, were shown no mercy by Wexford
as they lost 2-19 to 1-2 – John McCarthy with their goal in the final minutes.

Armagh’s Division Three survival hopes were boosted with a win over Louth.

In an unusual scoreline, Armagh won 2-10 to 3-2 with their opponents managing more goals than points at Haggardstown.