10 YEARS AGO
LOUGHINISLAND won the Ulster Intermediate title having posted the bizarre tally of 4-1 against Bundoran.
That was enough to see them home against the Donegal champions, their opponents only registering seven points. Even that low tally looked like a winning one for much of this contest.
The Down side failed to score for 42 minutes and only kicked one point – a Rory Mason free – but finals are for winning, no matter how it’s managed.
Bundoran led heading into the final 10 minutes but the Blues hit three goals, through Paddy McKenny, Mason and Sean Cochrane, to come out on top.
In the senior final, Crossmaglen and Scotstown played out an epic Ulster final with the Rangers taking the spoils after extra-time – the last time they have lifted the Seamus McFerran Cup.
In stormy conditions, Darren Hughes was a monster for the Monaghan champions, but he just didn’t get enough from his supporting case to kill off the Armagh champions in the final 10 minutes.
In extra-time, the Rangers pulled away with Kyle Carragher’s goal – after Kieran Hughes had been sent off – helped them to a 2-17 to 2-12 win.
Tony Kernan grabbed the other major for the victors with Darren Hughes and Brian McGinnity raising green flags for Scotstown.
The junior final lacked the drama of the other two deciders as Monaghan’s Rockcorry eased to a 3-10 to 0-9 win over Derry’s Faughanvale.
They became the sixth Oriel County club to win the tournament with Mark McGuirk’s first-half goal giving them the platform to success. Fergal McGeough and Martin Carroll scored further goals in the second half.
There were big club stories across the country too.
In Munster, Clonmel became the first Tipperary side to win the senior football title as Michael Quinlivan struck at the death to secure a 1-7 to 0-9 win over Nemo Rangers.
In Leinster, Oulart-The Ballagh finally got their hands on the senior hurling title after four final losses in a row.
The Wexford side defeated Dublin’s Cuala by two goals. The losing side would be back, and then some, in the years to come.
20 YEARS AGO
THE GAA’s Football All-Stars raised eyebrows as only three teams were represented – champions Tyrone, finalists Kerry and Armagh.
The Ulster duo dominated the summer, while Kerry’s run to the decider had to be honoured, but it was the lowest ever representation and that remains the case to this day.
Brian McGuigan’s exclusion raised eyebrows, but the Red Hands still took home over half the team with eight players rewarded. Ryan McMenamin and Owen Mulligan were first-time winners while Peter Canavan picked up his sixth.
Armagh also had a first-time winner in defender Andy Mallon while Paul McGrane (2) and Stevie McDonnell (3) had previously been included.
Tyrone’s Stephen O’Neill was crowned Footballer of the Year.
St Gall’s were crowned Ulster football champions following a 1-8 to 0-8 win over Bellaghy.
It was the Antrim side’s second title and their first in 23 years, and the triumph came despite being underdogs over the Derry outfit.
Ciarán McCrossan’s 12th-minute goal gave them the belief and they battled like demons from there on in.
Joe Cassidy again led the line brilliantly for Bellaghy but he needed more support and it ultimately failed to materialise.
St Gall’s held their opponents scoreless for the last 15 minutes with Karl Stewart sealing the win with a late point.
It was a Monaghan double in the other provincial football finals.
At intermediate level, Inniskeen were 2-5 to 0-10 winners over Donegal’s Glenswilly with Pearse McSkeane hitting a late, late winning goal for the Grattan’s.
Monaghan Harps were more comfortable in their junior final win over Armagh’s Clonmore – the Oriel side winning 1-12 to 0-7 in their centenary year.
30 YEARS AGO
THE National Football League resumed with Cavan earning an Ulster derby win over Armagh, securing the points in their Division Two clash with a 2-9 to 0-11 success.
A low ground turned up to the Athletic Grounds, but it turned into a dramatic affair as Cavan raced into a massive lead before Armagh sprung into life following the introduction of a certain Kieran McGeeney at centre half-back. That led to the side kicking seven scores out of eight and getting within two of Cavan, but Ronan Carolan then scored a penalty after a clumsy foul by Justin McNulty.
Down, meanwhile, could only manage 1-4 in their loss to Leitrim.
The Mourne County were weakened but it was still a poor showing with Conor O’Neill hitting 1-1 in a losing effort.
Antrim’s Dunloy were far too strong for Britain’s St Gabriel’s in their All-Ireland quarter-final.
Gregory O’Kane hit 1-8 in the 1-16 to 0-9 success in Ruislip.
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