10 YEARS AGO

IRELAND manager Paul Earley said the internationals rules series faced a “watershed” moment as the squad prepared to fly out to Melbourne.

Interest was waning with Australia suffering a few two heavy losses in the previous two meetings – in 2011 and 2013 – and Earley knew what was needed.

“The public and the fans want to see competitive games. If it’s very one-sided and it continues to be one-sided there’s no future.”

That competitive fixture did arrive with Australia edging a narrow test in Perth in a one-game series.

Sleacht Néill rode their luck in the Ulster quarter-final before edging Cavan Gaels on a 0-11 to 0-9 scoreline.

The Derry champions started sharply and led 0-9 to 0-4 at the break but Gaels boss Peter Canavan made a triple sub at the start of the second half and his side responded in kind.

Indeed, they looked like they were going to force extra-time as Seanie Johnston, so good on frees all day, stood over a kick well within his wheelhouse, but he pulled it wide and Sleacht Néill broke and grabbed an insurance score through Gerald Bradley to seal victory.

St Eunan’s also booked a last-four spot but they had it much handier against Fermanagh’s Roslea, the Donegal side winning 1-9 to 0-6.

St Eunan’s were playing their seventh championship match in seven weeks but fatigue didn’t seem to be an issue as they stormed out of the blocks with Roslea having to wait 27 minutes to even get a shot at goal.

The Tir Chonaill side led 1-5 to 0-0 at the break, Conall Dunne with 1-4, and while their opponents improved after the interval, the result was never in doubt.

Roslea would only manage two points from play, Dermot Reilly with their first after 54 minutes and Seamus Quigley adding another before the end.

20 YEARS AGO

IT was a lesson in persistence for Kerry legend Maurice Fitzgerald as he won his first-ever county medal following South Kerry’s 1-13 to 2-5 win over Laune Rangers.

The team captain was hoisted onto shoulders and carried across the pitch as he found the one major medal that had eluded him over his three-decade career.

Meanwhile, red was the colour in Ulster as four players were lined as Cavan Gaels beat Monaghan’s Magheracloone by nine points.

The Breffni side lost Karl Crotty and Shane McGlade with Magheracloone seeing Francis Doogan and Michael Jones dismissed.

The Gaels led 0-5 to 0-3 at Kingspan Breffni and new Galway coach Mickey Graham goaled early in the second half to truly send them on their way.

After the flurry of red cards, Niall Collins sealed the deal with a second goal for Cavan Gaels.

Sleacht Néill and Crossmaglen couldn’t be separated with Sleacht Néill goalkeeper Francis Bradley a relieved man at the end.

A rare Conan Cassidy point late on seemed to be sending the Derry side through but Bradley let a tame effort slip through his fingers to give Cross a two-point lead.

The Derry champions needed something special, and it came in the form of a couple of Paul Bradley frees in additional time to let Francis Bradley off the hook.

Draws were the order of the day as Mayobridge and Ardara couldn’t be separated while Carrickmore and St Gall’s also required a second outing.

30 YEARS AGO

CLARE moved to the top of the Division 1A hurling table after a hard-fought win over Antrim in Sixmilebridge.

Antrim’s direct style was causing major issues early on and a Gregory O’Kane goal put them six points in front, but a Cyril Lyons goal cut the lead to the minimum at the break despite being the better team.

Aidan Mort had a chance to goal early in the second half, but Banner goalie Davy Fitzgerald kept him out and soon after Conor Clancy made the Ulster side pay at the other end with Clare’s second major as they saw out a 2-8 to 1-6 victory.

Donegal fell to Longford in Division Four, and what a win it was for the Leinster side as theircrucial goal came from Tom Lyman – part of the management team who had to play due to a shortage of players.

Donegal’s manager John O’Brien was also on the pitch, albeit in his designated player-manager role, and he raised two white flags.

In Tyrone, Carrickmore made it three league titles on the trot with a comfortable 3-11 to 0-7 win over Ardboe.Simon Devlin’s own goal after a blistering opening 20 minutes gave Carrickmore control of the contest with Brian Gormley and Peter Kerr adding further majors.