10 YEARS AGO

CROSSMAGLEN’S All-Ireland hopes came to an end after a 0-13 to 0-12 loss to Castlebar at the semi-final stage.

A 55th-minute point from midfielder Barry Moran proved to be the difference in a feisty encounter at Kingspan Breffni.

Cross had led 0-8 to 0-3 approaching the break, but only managed four points from there.

The end of the game was marred by ugly scenes as players from both sides clashed.

The Down hurlers were made to fight all the way before edging their NHL Division 2B clash with Armagh at the Athletic Grounds.

Michael Johnston’s side won 2-16 to 2-13, but they had to repel a late Armagh rally to claim the win.

Eoin McGuinness missed an early penalty for the hosts, but John Corvan’s goal did give them a 1-5 to 0-6 lead. Danny Toner responded at the other end as Down went in one ahead.

They pushed on at the start of the second half, Conor Woods with another green flag, but Armagh – buoyed by a Conor Corvan goal – pushed hard late on with Ryan Gaffney’s late effort for goal just going over the crossbar.

Antrim were also pushed hard in an Ulster derby before clocking in a 1-21 to 2-12 win over Derry.

That scoreline was flattering on the Saffrons as they trailed by five points at the break, Gareth O’Kane scoring their goal and Ruairi Convery racking up the points.

Antrim fought back well though with Domhnall Nugent getting their crucial goal. Convery responded with Derry’s second goal, but Antrim were on a roll.

Donegal lost by four points to Mayo. A tight game was edged in the Connacht’s side favour by the return of footballing legend Keith Higgins.

20 YEARS AGO

THERE was a huge shock in the National Football League as Fermanagh earned a one-point win over neighbours Tyrone, 0-9 to 0-8.

Played in Enniskillen, it was the Erne County’s first league win over Tyrone since the early 1990s.

Barry Owens shut down Stevie O’Neill, although the fact that O’Neill still managed two from play despite losing out says something about his class.

Tyrone led 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval but Shaun Doherty’s introduction at midfield gave Fermanagh a platform and they were worthy winners.

GAA officials were set to investigate following reports of a mass brawl between Derry and Wexford just before the end of their league encounter in national newspapers. Local Wexford media, however, deemed that the coverage was sensationalised and it was merely a bit of pushing and shoving.

Monaghan picked up a notable Division 1A win as they were far too strong for Dublin, winning 1-11 to 0-7 at Parnell Park.

Eoin Lennon was too powerful for the Dubs all day long while Hugh McElroy helped himself to five points and Tommy Freeman amassed 1-2.

Armagh conceded 0-19 against Meath and were very lucky to only lose by seven points in the end.

Ciaran McKinney had a stormer in the Orchard goal while Joe Sheridan missed a penalty, so it could have been much worse for Joe Kernan’s side.

30 YEARS AGO

DUNLOY destroyed Kilkenny champions Glenmore to secure an All-Ireland final berth. With the wind at their back, the Antrim side had 1-3 on the board before Glenmore scored, Alister Elliott with the goal.

Frankie McMullan added a second major before the break to put them in a commanding position, and they saw it through with ease to win 2-13 to 0-7.

Dublin escaped relegation to Division Three of the National Football League with victory over Cavan.

The game marked Jason Sherlock’s return, the livewire forward featuring for the first time since the All-Ireland final win over Tyrone the previous September. His first involvement after coming on was a point – a crucial one too given Dublin won 2-9 to 2-7 in the first league game played at the redeveloped Parnell Park.