10 YEARS AGO

A MASSIVE moment for Armagh hurling as they booked a spot in the NHL Division 2B final following a commanding 1-17 to 1-10 win over Mayo on home turf.

A draw would have been enough, but the Orchard County looked nervy in the first half and fired wide after wide. Fortunately for them, Mayo weren’t able to handle them and still trailed by four at the break despite those Armagh misses.

Declan Coulter’s goal eight minutes from time all but sealed the deal and while Mayo rallied in the final minutes, they were never able to get within striking range.

Awaiting them in the final would be neighbours Down with Danny Toner at his accurate best as the Mourne County booked their spot in the decider with a 2-17 to 1-14 win over Meath.

Toner finished the day with nine points, seven from play, as they proved too strong for the Royals – Conor Mageean and Rian Branagan with crucial first-half goals.

The winner of that final would leap-frog Derry who were relegated following a 2-18 to 1-16 loss to Kildare.

Oisin McCloskey’s goal had kept the Oakleafers in it and they trailed by a single point heading into the final 10 minutes, but Kildare finished the stronger to secure their own survival.

Antrim’s Division 2A campaign ended with a third straight loss following a 1-21 to 1-19 loss to London.

Niall McKenna grabbed their goal in Ruislip, but the Exiles came out on top.

Fermanagh had a day to remember as despite finishing with 13 players, they beat Leitrim 2-16 to 1-11.

Declan McGarry and Matthew Teague were sent off, but 1-8 Sean Corrigan helped them to victory.

20 YEARS AGO
FERMANAGH claimed a big scalp in the National League as they defeated Dublin 0-9 to 0-8 in Enniskillen.

Mark Little was the Erne County hero as he popped up with the 67th-minute winner.

Barry Owens was a rock while Tom Brewster landed two points on a big day for the county.

Tyrone produced a brilliant comeback to down Monaghan, 1-15 to 1-13.

Tommy Freeman’s goal had helped the Oriel County into a seven-point lead with 13 minutes remaining.

The All-Ireland champions took over from there though, Martin Penrose with the goal and Brian McGuigan excelling as they out-scored their Ulster opponents 1-8 to 0-2 from there to the finish.

Armagh also staged a late rally to earn the bragging rights over Down in Newry.

Down were four ahead with 10 minutes remaining, but a Malachy Mackin goal sparked a comeback. Down had a chance to steal a draw in the final seconds, but Damian Rafferty’s penalty went over the bar.

Eamonn Barry’s dramatic spell in charge of Meath took another turn following a strange first-half double substitution in the loss to Kildare.

Brian Farrell had already found the net and Joe Sheridan had been their player of the league, but Barry said they were taken off for “not doing what they were told to do”, according to the manager.

Two Royal subs had been made in the first 10 minutes to allow Anthony Moyles off and back on to change a contact lens, leaving them with just one sub for the second half.

30 YEARS AGO
THE MacRory Cup final was marred by a massive brawl as St Pat’s, Maghera defeated Derry rivals St Mary’s, Magherafelt.

Kevin Madden had earlier been sent off for St Mary’s with Maghera winning 0-12 to 1-6.

Dunloy’s dream of All-Ireland glory came to an end following a 5-10 to 2-6 loss to Sixmilebridge.

For three quarters of the game, the sides were finely balanced with Tony McGrath and Alister Elliott finding the net for the Ulster champions. However, the Clare side were in imperious form down the home stretch.

Laune Rangers won the football title with a 4-5 to 0-11 win over Éire Óg.