NostalGAA: A look through the memory books

TEN YEARS AGO

GERALDINE McLaughlin was the toast of Termon as her incredible 3-8 tally ensured All-Ireland glory for the Donegal club at the expense of Cork’s Mourneabbey.

The ace forward had a quiet enough first half by her lofty standards, but she did score a goal – and she took out on the resumption in a 3-12 to 1-13 win in Tuam.

Sleacht Néill were crowned Ulster champions for the first time after a dramatic 1-10 to 1-9 win over Omagh in Armagh,

A crowd of almost 10,000 showed up for the novel pairing between two first-timers and they were treated to a gem of a contest.

Cormac O’Doherty, who is back in Ulster final action this weekend on the hurling front, had given the Derry side a dream start with a goal inside two minutes, but Omagh’s response was super with a Barry Tierney goal helping them to a 1-5 to 1-2 interval lead.

Sleacht Néill improved on the resumption, despite going four down early on, and it set it up for a grandstand finish with Chrissy ‘Sammy’ Bradley kicking the winner.

In the curtain-raiser, Ross McGarry delivered a fine attacking display as Warrenpoint took the Intermediate honours at the expense of Monaghan’s Inniskeen.

Paul Meegan had plundered an early goal for the Grattan’s, but the Down side were the better team overall and substitute Gary Boyle’s goal helped them to an ultimately comfortable 1-14 to 1-7 win.

In the Junior decider, Tyrone’s Rock dominated Urris of Donegal to win 2-12 to 0-7.

Conor McCreesh top-scored with 1-6 while Eamon Ward also raised a green flag.

20 YEARS AGO

CROSSMAGLEN were crowned Ulster champions after a five-point win over Mayobridge in an ill-tempered affair at Casement Park.

The Armagh side had led by three points at the break having played with the breeze, but the sending off of Gareth O’Neill, father of current Armagh players Oisin and Rian, appeared to leave them in peril – but the ‘Bridge were unable to take advantage.

The Rangers were extremely fortunate not to be down to 13 players as Francie Bellew ended Mickey Linden’s game after just 12 minutes with a controversial tackle, but referee Michael Hughes saw no issue.

Despite posting just nine points, Stewartstown claimed the Ulster Junior title. A win ever more surprising when you learn that opponents Cremartin of Monaghan hit two goals, but the Oriel side only managed two points over the hour’s play.

Those two goals came early through Barry Carragher, who would be the side’s only scorer, but Stewartstown found their rhythm and chipped away at the lead.

With their opponents going 44 minutes without a score, they were able to edge home with Gareth Devlin top-scoring with four points.

It was the first time the final was officially played at that level meaning Stewartstown were the first recipients of the Paul Kerr Memorial Cup with the competition having run unofficially since 2001.

Elsewhere, the GAA committed to an attempt to try and get a defibrillator placed in every club in the country.

30 YEARS AGO

THE Kilkenny footballers had a day to remember as they claimed their first win in six years – a league victory over Limerick.

“It is good people are contacting us about good news for a change,” said the county’s football chairperson Kieran Meally.

It was their first win since February 1988 when they defeated Waterford.

Further up the divisions, 14-man Tyrone stormed back to claim an encouraging win over rivals Armagh.

Fergal Logan had been sent off just before the break in Dungannon, and things looked bleak as trio of scores from Declan Toner had the visitors 0-5 to 0-2 ahead on the turn in front of a big attendance.

The Red Hands showed admirable spirit though, helped in no small part by a string of brilliant Finbar McConnell saves, with Adrian Cush’s five points helping them to a 0-8 to 0-7 win.

Donegal’s 100 per cent record came to an end as Kildare turned them over in Ballybofey in their Division One encounter.

The Tir Chonaill County had only lost one home game previously since moving into the top-flight in 1988 but Niall Buckley’s second-half penalty sent the Lilywhites on their way.

Ulster lost the Interprovincial Senior Camogie final to Munster in Stillorgan despite a 2-3 contribution from Down’s Maureen McAleenan.