10 years ago

IT was a weekend of brotherly competition as two sets went head-to-head in county finals.

In the Mayo football final, Eoghan O’Reilly had the bragging rights over his brother Tommy as Castlebar got the better of Breaffy with both siblings landing a point in a comfortable win for the Mitchell’s.

In the Kilkenny hurling decider, Keith Hogan took the spoils as his Clara side proved too strong for an O’Loughlin Gaels team featuring his brother Brian. With Keith captaining Clara from centre half-forward and Brian lining out at centre half-back, the pair were in close contact throughout in a thriller.

There was anger in the Sleacht Néill camp as their dreams of an Ulster double went up in smoke after a 1-24 to 3-17 provincial final loss to Cushendall after extra-time.

Manager Michael McShane labelled the decision to play extra-time rather than a replay “a disgrace” as his players tired down the stretch. That was of little surprise given that their 13 dual players had to instantly get ready for a 14th championship game in 12 weeks as the footballers prepared for an Ulster clash with Scotstown.

It was an Antrim double as Creggan claimed the Ulster Intermediate crown with a 2-12 to 1-7 win over Éire Óg, Carrickmore.

Conor Small and Conor McCann grabbed the goals as they claimed their first provincial crown with Sean Óg Grogan hitting 1-1 for the Tyrone champions.

Eoghan Rua also enjoyed a first as they were Ulster Junior hurling champions with the Derry side beating Down’s Ballela 3-15 to 0-7. Ciaran Gaile, Colm McGoldrick and Thomas Magee were their goalscorers on the day.

20 years ago

CARRICKMORE went back-to-back by the skin of their teeth in Tyrone, something that hasn’t been done since – and won’t be done this season either after Érrigal Ciaran’s semi-final loss to Trillick.

The Carmen outfit edged a low-scoring final with Omagh as they prevailed on a 1-6 to 1-5 scoreline.

Conor Gormley’s first-half goal ultimately proved decisive despite Mickey O’Neill raising a green flag for the St Enda’s early in the second half. The sides were level with just minutes remaining, but Finbar Magill landed the winner for Carrickmore.

Ireland manager Pete McGrath tried to lift spirits after his side suffered an almighty trouncing at the hands of Australia in the first International Rules test in Perth.

In the end, the hosts won 100-64, essentially ending the series as a contest before the second encounter.

Ulster gave a very good account of themselves but ultimately came up short in their hurling inter-provincial clash with Munster at Casement Park.

The sides were level eight times in a tight first half, so it was no surprise that there was nothing between them as they trudged off having shared 20 points evenly.

Munster improved in the second half with Ben O’Connor finishing with seven points in a 0-25 to 0-13 win. Karl Stewart grabbed Ulster’s goal with Johnny McIntosh top scoring for the home side with four points.

Leinster awaited Munster in the final after they hammered Connacht 1-25 to 0-10 in Loughrea with Laois’ James Young managing a dozen points.

30 years ago

RAYMOND Bell and Paul Conway were the Ballinderry heroes as they struck for two late goals as the Derry side defeated Érrigal Ciaran in their Ulster clash in Ballinascreen.

In front of a huge crowd, the Tyrone champions looked set to progress to the semi-final, on a weekend that the other semi-final was being played, but they were outscored 2-3 to 0-0 in the final 12 minutes

Armagh side Mullaghbawn reached their first provincial final following a gritty 0-13 to 0-10 win over Monaghan kingpins Castleblayney.

Declan Crawley and Fergal McDonnell grabbed four points each in Newry with Patrick McGeeney – brother of Armagh boss Kieran – scoring 0-3 as the south Armagh half-forward line ran riot.

The provincial championship draw threw up a pairing in Leinster that felt pre-ordained as new Westmeath manager Barney Rock was drawn against his home county and Sam Maguire holders Dublin.

In Ulster, All-Ireland finalists Tyrone were handed a home tie with Fermanagh as Donegal and Down prepared to meet in the preliminary round.

In the NHL, Antrim were far too good for Down in their Ulster derby, the Saffrons winning 1-12 to 0-4 in Newcastle.