10 years ago…

ARMAGH’S Division Two relegation fears remained alive and well after they messed up their home match against Galway, the Orchard County having to be content with a 1-15 to 1-15 draw.

As was standard with Kieran McGeeney’s side at the time, chaos ensued with Armagh finishing the game with 13 players – Ethan Rafferty dismissed at the start of the second half and Aidan Forker three minutes into additional time.

At that point, the home side still let by a goal, plundered by the inspirational Stefan Campbell who hit 1-9 on the day, with the home side having led by seven points with 11 minutes of normal time remaining.

But nervousness swept across the Athletic Grounds and seven minutes after the 70, Danny Cummins fisted home for the Tribe County. Given how tight the final league table would be, it was a huge score.

Tyrone had no such problems though as they confirmed their promotion to Division One with a 1-17 to 1-11 win over Meath.

The Red Hands were far too good in Navan and unlike Armagh, when they were reduced to 13 players they found a way to see it out.

Game of the day came in Portlaoise though as Derry hit five goals in a draw with Laois.

A scoreline of 1-22 to 5-10 really stood out in a pre-FRC era with Paul Kingston grabbing the first after just 25 seconds. There would be five more, but all for the Oakleaf County with Chrissy Bradley and Danny Heavron both scoring a brace and Shane Heavron raising the other green flag.

Ryan Gaffney hit 13 points as Armagh hammered Meath to keep alive their NHL Division 2B promotion hopes.

20 years ago…

DERRY saw red but still won a highly entertaining league affair with Armagh, coming out on the right side of a 1-14 to 2-7 scoreline.

Patsy Bradley was lined after just 12 minutes for an incident with Martin O’Rourke, and when Brian Mallon sent to the Derry net three minutes later it looked like it could be a long afternoon for the Oakleaf County.

Eoin Bradley did respond with a spectacular goal, but Stevie McDonnell found the net to give Armagh a four-point interval lead and seemingly on the way to two points.

Derry fought back gallantly though to win, Armagh’s cause not helped by red cards to Francie Bellew and Andy Mallon.

Down saw their unbeaten run come to an end as an understrength Laois defeated them 1-17 to 1-12.

Danny Hughes hit six points and Benny Coulter found the net, but Laois proved far too strong.

Monaghan were controversially denied a draw with Kerry in Scotstown following a late Colm Cooper point to win it.

The referee gave Declan O’Sullivan a free, but the Kerry man retaliated to Stephen Gollolgy. However, the ball was not thrown up.

Fermanagh pushed Mayo all the way in their Division 1A clash in Castlebar before coming up two points short.

The Erne County had trailed by eight points at one stage, but if there had been another few minutes, they likely would have won.

30 years ago…

ALL-IRELAND champions Kilmacud Croke’s were dumped out of the Dublin SFC as they lost heavily to St Slyvester’s.

Shay Keogh was the hero with eight points, matching the entire tally of the county, provincial and All-Ireland holders.

The Railway Cup semi-final between Ulster and Munster was forced to go to a replay after a thrilling game in Clones that finished level after extra-time.

A crowd of 1500 watched on in
awe as Ulster’s unbeaten run – stretching back to 1988 – nearly ended.

Seamus Downey was the hero in normal time with a point four minutes into additional time.

They needed a saving point in extra-time too, Cavan’s Ronan Carolan providing it.