10 YEARS AGO

MONAGHAN came agonisingly close to securing a Division One final date before losing out to Dublin by a single point, 0-17 to 0-16.

The Oriel County had lost to the same opposition at the same venue – Croke Park – by 17 points eight months earlier and while the stakes were different, it was a good response.

They were in Portugal in the week leading up to the game on a warm weather camp, but it didn’t hold them back with Conor McManus starring.

Mansy put them a point ahead with 15 minutes remaining, but Jim Gavin’s side had just enough firepower to get ahead by the final whistle.

Donegal’s march to the other Division One semi-final ended on a sour note as they conceded a huge 4-11 tally to Cork.

The Tir Chonaill County did put up an impressive 0-19 in reply, Michael Murphy ending the day with eight points, but conceding four goals was a rarity for Donegal back then – although Mayo had managed it in an All-Ireland quarter-final two years earlier.

The Antrim hurlers were condemned to Division Two hurling after a 2-16 to 1-18 promotion/relegation play-off loss to Kerry.

The Saffrons had led by eight early on thanks to a significant wind and a PJ O’Connell goal, but were reeled in.

There was real drama in the Division 2A/2B play-off as Damian Casey produced a masterclass to secure a replay with Donegal.

The late Dungannon man finished with an impressive 2-8 to his name as both sides hit 4-13 after extra-time in an Owenbeg thriller.

While Casey starred at one end, Ronan McDermott was causing havoc at the other and he would eventually end up with an incredible four goals.

On the ladies front, there was a real mismatch in Division Two as Armagh defeated Down 10-24 to 0-0.

20 YEARS AGO

THERE was grim news for Tyrone fans as ace attacker Peter Canavan suffered a setback on the injury trail.

The Errigal Ciaran great had been out with a hamstring injury but was due to get some valuable minutes in an Ulster League clash with Down side Bryansford but, despite being named to play, didn’t appear.

Canavan had caused a shock before the start of the 2005 league by saying he wouldn’t be involved due to unhappiness with his fitness, but had left the door open to a return. Given how the season turned out, that proved to be a good move.

Antrim’s Division One survival hopes were boosted by a draw with Laois.

The Saffrons were understrength at Casement Park but they earned a point courtesy of a controversial free at the death converted by Karl McKeegan.

The current Armagh manager finished with 1-5 to his name with Michael Herron hitting half a dozen points.

It was a good day for Donegal’s Niall Campbell as he nabbed a hat-trick in the 5-7 to 1-9 win over Tyrone in Omagh.

Current boss Michael McCann also raised a green flag, as did Danny Cullen, with Paul Lavery top-scoring for the Red Hands with 1-6.

Armagh also enjoyed some Ulster derby joy as they defeated Monaghan 2-7 to 0-8, Paul Breen and Seamus Mone with their goals.

30 YEARS AGO

GAA President Jack Boothman warned against the creation of “an elite band of players” in his closing remarks at Congress.

Boothman said that with the GAA based on volunteerism, the same must be demanded from the players in a clear remark aimed at a potential players’ body.

Carlow found itself in crisis when football manager Bobby Millar said that many of his players were not dedicated or disciplined for intercounty football.

It is understood that Millar was on the verge of stepping down and 30 years on, the county has experienced similar issues with Shane ‘Cake’ Curran quitting days before their Leinster Championship clash with Meath.

Monaghan caused a bit of a surprise when they defeated an experimental Donegal 1-13 to 0-8 in the McKenna Cup semi-final in Ballyshannon.

Star of the show was Monaghan U21 player Declan Smyth who hit eight points in all, five of those from play, with Gregory Flanagan grabbing their goal.