10 YEARS AGO

A TOUGH day for the provincial football systems as Dublin hammered Longford by 27 points while in Munster, Tipperary had 22 points to spare against Waterford.

Longford boss Jack Sheedy decided to go man-to-man on a point of principle but it was a tough day’s work as they lost out 4-25 to 0-10 with Bernard Brogan, Paul Flynn, Dean Rock and Diarmaid Connolly all finding the net.

Dublin hammering Leinster opposition was the norm, but more surprising was the gap between Tipperary and Waterford.

The Premier County won 1-25 to 0-5 to set up a clash with Kerry who, in another sign of the provincial mismatches, had defeated them by 17 points just two years previous.

Up in Ulster it was more competitive but Fermanagh still eight points to spare against Antrim at Brewster Park.

In what was an instantly forgettable stinker, the Erne County eased their way to a first Ulster win since 2010 with Sean McVeigh’s red card not helping Antrim’s cause.

Ryan Jones did a lot of the damage with three points from play from midfield in the 1-13 to 0-8 win with Sean Quigley scoring the goal from the penalty spot.

Derry qualified for the Christy Ring Cup final with an impressive 0-23 to 2-12 win over Down at Owenbeg.

Team captain Ruairi Convery and Paul Cleary were in inspired form, combining for 13 points, while Gareth Johnson and James Coyle grabbed the goals for Down.

Fermanagh were well beaten in their attempts to reach the Lory Meagher Cup as Sligo earned a 5-16 to 0-12 win.

20 YEARS AGO

CAVAN offered up a turgid performance and were hugely fortunate to earn a replay with Antrim in their Ulster Championship clash.

Breffni boss Eamonn Coleman wasn’t able to attend due to a recent bout of pneumonia so Paddy McNamee took charge, but it wasn’t a good day for the hosts – even if the end result was better than their performance merited.

Karol Crotty’s 57th minute sending off didn’t help their cause but Antrim couldn’t kill them off with Finbarr O’Reilly landing a 73rd minute free to secure a 0-11 to 0-11 draw for Cavan.

Leinster champions Westmeath were dethroned following a 0-14 to 0-11 loss to Kildare. In the other semi-final, Laois were 1-10 to 1-8 winners over Offaly. No Dublin in the semi-final, back then.

Down qualified for the Ulster SHC final following a high-scoring 3-21 to 4-9 replay win over Derry.

The sides were level at the break, 2-8 to 2-8, Martin Coulter with a brace for Down and Geoffrey McGonigle doing likewise for Derry.

Sean McBride grabbed Derry’s third on the restart but Down took charge from there with Coulter completing his hat-trick.

In the Ulster MFC, there were wins for Derry over Monaghan and Armagh over Donegal.

The Oakleafers were comfortable in the end with Niall McNicholl scoring five points in a 0-17 to 0-8 win in Omagh. Darren Hughes was in nets for the Oriel County.

Armagh had to fend off a Donegal comeback but they advanced on a 2-10 to 0-12 scoreline.

The Orchard County led by nine points at the break with Sean Clarke and Paul Kernan grabbing goals. Stephen Griffin inspired a Tir Chonaill comeback but Armagh saw it home.

30 YEARS AGO

RUMOURS of an Armagh ambush were completely off the mark as Derry stormed to a 1-17 to 0-10 Ulster win.

On home soil, anticipation had built steadily in the Orchard County but they were swatted aside with Ger Houlahan pocketed by Tony Scullion with Derry’s half-back line of Johnny McGurk, Henry Downey and Fergal McCusker dominating.

It was Downey who scored the only goal of the game whileseven Cathal O’Rourke frees were provided at least some resistance for Armagh.

Orchard boss Jim McCorry would step aside in the aftermath and would be replaced by the two Brians, McAlinden and Canavan.

In the Ulster MFC, Down edged a thriller against Monaghan, eventually prevailing on a 2-11 to 1-13 scoreline.

Stephen Caulfield goaled early for the Mourne County and although Rory Mone replied from the penalty spot, Gavin Hynds grabbed a second green flag for the victors.