10 YEARS AGO

NAOMH Conaill edged a tight Donegal final against Gaoth Dobhair on Sunday – and they were doing the same 10 years ago as they defeated St Eunan’s 0-11 to 0-10 to lift the Tir Chonailltitle.

They did it the hard way too back then, trailing by a point at the break and having to play the final 20 minutes a man down following Eoghan McGettigan’s dismissal after a brawl broke out.

But the men from Davy Brennan Park are made of stern stuff and they managed to turn it around in the closing stages with Leo McLoone leading by example in a real captain’s performance.

It was a special day for the Thompson brothers as they became the third set of four brothers to win a Donegal senior championship – Anthony, Aaron, Ciarán and Leon all starting.

No such drama in Antrim as Cargin were far too strong for Lámh Dhearg, cruising to a 2-11 to 1-6 win with Mick McCann firing home a pair of penalties.

In Monaghan, Scotstown swatted Monaghan Harps aside with Orin Heaphey and Conor McCarthy both bagging 1-2 in their 2-12 to 0-9 win.

In the Ulster Club, Derry champions Sleacht Néill racked up a massive 4-13 tally as they hammered Fermanagh’s Derrygonnelly by 15 points.

20 YEARS AGO

THE Ireland international series team arrived in Perth for their forthcoming tests with Australia, but opted not to participate in warm-up games following dismay at what happened in2003.

On that occasion, against a Perth select, Tipperary forward Declan Browne was ruled out of the entire trip following a very late tackle. As a result, visiting manager Pete McGrath opted to keep preparations in-house.

In perhaps an omen for this Friday, Carrickmore booked their spot in the Tyrone final with a 0-10 to 1-6 win over Dromore with Peter Loughran grabbing six points.

A number of county titles were up for grabs in the northern province with Ballygalget claiming the Down hurling honours with a 3-14 to 0-15 win over Ballycran.

In a high-quality game, first-half goals against the breeze from Stephen Clarke and Martin Coulter hadthem in a good position with Barry Coulter adding a third after the break.

30 YEARS AGO

Crossmaglen made it 10 Armagh titles in a row as they defeated Dromintee 0-12 to 0-9 in Crossmaglen.

A tight final was settled by the accuracy of Oisín McConville, who turned 50 on Monday past, as his five points proved decisive with Cathal O’Rourke top-scoring from Dromintee.

DUNLOY were crowned Ulster SHC champions after the Antrim side beat Down champions 2-18 to 0-9 at Casement Park.

The Saffron side, currently in the headlines for their footballing exploits, were always in control as they retained their provincial crown.

Alastair Elliott grabbed both Dunloy goals with their opponents finishing with 13 players after late red cards to Bill Hughes and Michael Braniff. The National Football League got underway and Dublin manager Pat O’Neill said goodbye to the Hill with an opening win over Leitrim in what was to be his last game in charge. The All-Ireland holders didn’t have it easy though, needing a couple of late scores to win 1-13 to 1-11 at Croke Park.

As one manager headed for the exit, another came through the door, but Paidí Ó Sé got his foot caught on the step as Kerry were beaten in Tralee. Bragging rights belonged to Tyrone and Fermanagh after Ulster derby wins. Tyrone were 1-7 to 0-8 victors over Derry in Division One while Fermanagh edged Antrim in Division Three.