10 years ago…
MONAGHAN’S U-21 All-Ireland hopes came to an end at the semi-final stage as Cork beat them 2-15 to 1-16 to set up a final date with Mayo.

Dessie Ward, Ryan McAnespie and Conor McCarthy were main players on the side but it was Doohamlet’s Barry McGinn – a star at schools level – who led the way with a 1-6 tally.

It wasn’t enough though with all 17 Cork scores coming from play, Ryan Harkin with a crucial total.

Tyrone and Armagh qualified for the Ulster Minor League final.

10 YEARS AGO…Monaghan and Cork players react at the end of the All-Ireland U-21 semi-final

Tyrone were 1-16 to 1-10 winners over Armagh in Garvaghey with Emmet McNabb and Paul Donaghy causing the Orchard defence all sorts of problems.

The Orchard side contained future All-Ireland winning starters Barry McCambridge, Rian O’Neill and Ross McQuillan amongst others, but they were second best on the day.

Donegal, meanwhile, needed extra-time before seeing off Monaghan 0-23 to 0-21 in Clones.

Niall O’Donnell was the star of the show with a superb 13-point tally, five coming from play.

David Garland was also outstanding on the losing side as he clocked up 11 points with six coming from play.

There was an unusual scoreline in the Leinster Minor Football Championship as Wexford beat Kilkenny 17-21 to 0-1.

Mickie Dwyer scored seven goals and Jamie Meyler scored five goals with Sean Boyd scoring Kilkenny’s only point in the closing seconds.

20 years ago…
TYRONE were crowned Ulster u-21 champions following a 0-12 to 1-7 win over Derry.

Martin McCreesh was the Red Hand hero with two late points to bring this provincial honour back to the Red Hand County for the fifth time in seven years.

McCreesh was sent off in the final moments, as was team-mate Damien McDermott. Derry’s James Bateson was also lined by Paudie Hughes.

The Kerry County Board were left fuming with the scheduling of their National Football League final with Galway.

The match was pencilled into clash with the Heineken Cup semi-final between Munster and Leinster with the Kingdom looking for a week’s deferral – but it was booked in.

20 YEARS AGO…Martin McCreesh was the Tyrone hero in the Ulster U-21 final

“Our support is going to be very small,” said Kerry GAA chairperson Sean Walsh, with a 5.30pm throw-in also impacting a fan base that traditionally didn’t travel well for late games.

That game was moved to a Sunday evening slot to avoid a TV clash with the rugby.

Jack O’Connor’s side set up a final date with a 1-15 to 1-10 win over Laois, with Mick O’Dwyer taking charge of the O’Moore County for the last time in a league game.

Colm Cooper, who produced a brilliant display, scored the Kerry goal as they eased into the final.

The Tribe County, meanwhile, were far too good for Mayo in their semi-
final.

30 years ago…
DOWN reached the final of the Dr McKenna Cup as they defeated Fermanagh 0-13 to 0-10 in Enniskillen.

The scores were level at the break, 0-5 to 0-5, and Down suffered a massive blow 49 minutes in as Barry Breen was sent off at a time when they trailed by a point.

However, they produced a brilliant final quarter with Mickey Linden and Ross Carr leading a scoring charge that set up a final date with Antrim.

30 YEARS AGO…Mickey Linden helped get Down out of a sticky situation in Fermanagh