10 YEARS AGO

CROSSMAGLEN made a statement with a four-point Ulster semi-final win over Kilcoo.

The Armagh champions reached the Ulster final for the first time in three years with a 0-12 to 0-8 win over the Mourne representatives.

The Rangers managed just a single point in the first 19 minutes, but by the 43rd minute they led 0-8 to 0-3 in this tense, tight battle.

Aaron Kernan, Tony Kernan, James Morgan and Johnny Hanratty all caught the eye on a good day for Cross.

Monaghan champions Scotstown also booked their place in the final with a 2-9 to 2-7 win over Tyrone’s Trillick.

There was no doubting the star of the show as Darren Hughes rattled off 2-2 to turn the game in Scotstown’s favour.

Trillick didn’t score for the final 20 minutes and Scotstown went even further without a score towards the end, although Rory Beggan did end that wait with a free in additional time.

Recently-crowned Tyrone senior champions Loughmacrory required extra-time to see off Rock in their Division Two/Three promotion/relegation play-off.

It kept alive their hopes of remaining at intermediate level with Ronan Ward hitting a crucial 2-3 to set up a clash with Owen Roes to preserve their status.

Donegal revealed that a dozen players had been added to their senior squad, most notably Ciarán Thompson of Naomh Conaill, Caolan McColgan of Buncrana and Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher of Killybegs.

20 YEARS AGO

THE Kerry final between South Kerry and Dr Crokes was billed as Maurice Fitzgerald versus Colm Cooper and it was the old maestro who held sway as South Kerry won 0-12 to 1-6.

Cooper actually outscored Fitzgerald – 1-2 to 0-3 – but bragging rights belonged to the three-time All-Star.

Cavan Gaels set up an Ulster semi-final date with Derry’s Bellaghy following a 0-12 to 1-7 win over Monaghan side Latton at Brewster Park.

Latton dominated much of the play but were too wasteful in front of the posts. Their opponents, by contrast, made the most of their opportunities with Seanie Johnston nailing half a dozen points and Cormac Nelligan raising four white flags.

The game was due to be played in Clones the week before, but an unplayable pitch saw it delayed a week.

Roscommon side St Brigid’s, meanwhile, qualified for their first Connacht final following a 1-11 to 1-7 win over Kiltubrid in their provincial semi-final replay. County players Karol Mannion and Frankie Dolan combined for 1-9 between them as they finally broke the stubborn resistance of the Leitrim champions.

There were unfortunate scenes in the Clare MFC final between Wolfe Tones and Kilmurry-Ibrickane as a mass brawl broke out and supporters made their way onto the pitch.

30 YEARS AGO

DOWN’S superiority over rivals Armagh was rubber-stamped with an emphatic 3-9 to 0-5 win in Newry.

The Mourne County had already lost to Westmeath and Cork and with Armagh flying high, it was felt Down could be vulnerable.

No such worries for Pete McGrath’s side with Gary Mason excelling in defence and Mickey Linden (1-5) and Conor O’Neill (2-1) causing havoc in the Orchard backline.

In another Ulster derby, Fermanagh could only manage a pathetic three points in a 0-10 to 0-3 loss to Monaghan with Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke one of their scorers on the day.

Jason Sherlock’s position with the Dublin footballers came under scrutiny after he didn’t play in their heavy league defeat to Dublin with soccer commitments seemingly causing an issue

One reporter put it to manager Mickey Whelan that Sherlock was available for selection, but the Dublin boss responded: “I’ll tell you where he was today, he’s training with UCD. Does that set the record straight?”

The All-Ireland champions could have done with his services as they were blitzed 2-9 to 0-8 by the Rebels at Croke Park with Mark O’Sullivan hitting 2-1.