10 YEARS AGO

A YEAR after losing out to Dungannon in the Tyrone Intermediate final – conceding 4-11 in the process – Trillick marked their return to senior football by winning the O’Neill Cup for the first time since 1986.

Killyclogher entered the Healy Park decider as favourites but Lee Brennan had the deciding say as the Reds won out 1-9 to 0-11.

That low scoreline looked very unlikely as Brennan goaled after just 13 seconds, but it was a cautious final with rare moments of attacking class.

It mattered little to the Trillick camp though as they marked off one of the most famous days in their history.

It was the same scoreline in the Cavan final as Kingscourt beat Castlerahan 1-9 to 0-11 in what they will hope is an omen ahead of this weekend’s decider against Gowna.

Unlike Trillick, the winners’ goal came late on as Philip Tinnelly palmed home to complete their come-from-behind success. Castlerahan were left gutted in the last play as Paul Smith’s shot hit the upright and trickled wide.

The other Ulster football finals were less competitive.

Crossmaglen’s dominance in Armagh was once again emphatically demonstrated as they hammered Armagh Harps 2-22 to 0-10 – Rico Kelly and David ‘Titch’ McKenna with their green flags.

Kilcoo were also comfortable winners in Down as they beat Castlewellan 3-10 to 0-11.

First-half goals from Jerome Johnston and Paul Greenan killed the game as a contest with Ryan Johnston adding a third after the break.

Derrygonnelly were crowned kings of Fermanagh with a 3-16 to 3-7 win over Roslea as a 17-year-old Shane McGullion scored two goals and Paul Ward the other.

20 YEARS AGO

A SERIES of events meant that Tyrone’s seven Irish players were cleared to travel to Australia for the International Series.

Seán Cavanagh and Philip Jordan saw their schedule open after Moy’s loss to Errigal Ciaran while Stephen O’Neill and Brian Dooher saw their Clan na nGael side lose an eight-point lead to Omagh.

Ryan McMenamin’s Dromore did make it through, but a straight red card meant he wouldn’t be available for the semi-final. Cookstown’s Owen Mulligan and Ardboe’s Brian McGuigan already saw their club seasons ended.

In Donegal, Naomh Conaill lifted a first-ever senior title with a 0-10 to 1-5 win over St Eunan’s in Ballybofey.

The Glenties side opted to play against a gale-force wind, a usual ‘no, no’ in the world of football, but it paid off as they led 0-6 to 0-2.

They always held a small cushion, allowing them to bring on veteran Jim McGuinness for the final moments after his season had been ruined by a cruciate injury.

30 YEARS AGO

MONAGHAN moved three clear of Cavan in the Dr McKenna roll of honour after a 1-12 to 0-11 win over Derry in Clones.

The Oakleafers had edged a low-scoring first half by two points, but Rory Mone’s goal aided Monaghan’s recovery with the player catching the eye on his debut.

The National Hurling League threw in with a number of good wins for Ulster sides.

In Division Two, Gregory O’Kane managed a fine 0-11 tally as Antrim hammered Meath at Casement Park.

The Saffrons racked up 3-17 in the 17-point win with Paul Donnelly, Sean Paul McKillop and Jackie Carson helping themselves to majors.

Also in Division Two, Antrim drew with Westmeath while in Division Three Armagh got the better of Derry by five points while Fermanagh suffered a heavy loss to Kildare. Tyrone hit five goals but still lost to Tyrone in Division Four while Monaghan conceded four but still beat Mayo.

There was no doubting the big result from the first round though as Division One debutants Kerry shocked All-Ireland champions Clare.