IN THE ARCHIVES: Mayobridge reach their sixth successive final

10 years ago

THERE were a number of senior hurling finals down for decision a decade ago this week.

Sleacht Néill were comfortable victors over Banagher in the Derry showdown while Ballygalget sank Portaferry in Down. In Donegal, meanwhile, MacCumhaill’s dethroned Burt.

It was the semi-final juncture in Antrim with a composed Loughgiel pulling away from Ballycastle while holders Cushendall proved too strong for Rossa.

On the footballing front, Erne Gaels ran out convincing winners over Roslea, while Derrygonnelly edged Devenish in Fermanagh’s Senior semi-finals.

In Down, Clonduff booked their spot in the Down senior final after beating a fancied Bryansford, while in Monaghan, Scotstown and Clontibret won their respective semi-finals. There were a number of big games in Tyrone with Niall Sludden scoring two goals for Dromore in their quarter-final win over Ardboe, while Clonoe won their first-round replay against Omagh.

Elsewhere, Crossmaglen scored six goals in a thumping victory over Tir na nÓg in round two of the Armagh Senior Championship.

In Cavan, Ramor dumped defending champions Kingscourt Stars out of the senior championship with a quarter-final victory at Kingspan Breffni.

20 years ago

REIGNING Down Senior Football Champions Mayobridge survived a stern challenge from Kilcoo to reach their sixth successive final.

On the other side of the draw, Burren reached their first final in seven years when they held off a late rally from Clonduff.

Down and Ulster Hurling champions Ballygalget surrendered their titles after an exciting clash against Portaferry.

In Donegal, 14-man St Michael’s sent county champions Naomh Conaill sensationally crashing out of the race for the Donegal Senior Football Championship.

In Tyrone, meanwhile, Carrickmore’s bid to win three O’Neill Cups in a row was placed on hold after they were held to a draw by Dromore in the Senior Championship semi-final. And in Derry, Kevin Lynch’s went to the top of the hurling championship leaderboard by winning their 18th title in a classic final showdown with Banagher.

30 years ago

A BIZARRE equaliser earned Meath a second bite of the cherry in the 1996 All-Ireland final against Mayo.

Colm Coyle’s pointed effort took a direct bounce in front of the square and ricocheted over the bar setting up a replay.

Mayo led by 1-8 to 0-5 but couldn’t seal the deal, Meath taking them apart in the last 15 minutes, punishing basic errors from opposition players.

There was plenty happening on the club front as well. Mullahoran reached the Cavan decider even though they fielded without county captain Damien O’Reilly against Crosserlough. Gowna won the other semi-final, a 1-17 to 0-7 victory over Kingscourt.

In Tyrone, defending champions Carrickmore stumbled into the county final with an unconvincing win over Moortown.