IN THE ARCHIVES: Armagh win first-ever Division One title

10 YEARS AGO

TYRONE u-21 manager Feargal Logan was refused entry to the Tipperary dressing room after the Red Hands won a tense All-Ireland final at Parnell Park.

The Ulster champions had a point to spare, but Logan’s attempt to commiserate – as is tradition – were denied with Tipp claiming excessive cynicism and verbals during the game.

Tipperary too walked the line with Steven O’Brien lucky not to be sent off for a challenge on Cathal McShane.

All that aside, Tyrone came away with a 1-11 to 0-13 win with McShane grabbing the only goal of the game midway through the second half.

Captain Kieran McGeary, Frank Burns, Conor Meyler, Michael Cassidy, Rory Brennan and Mark Kavanagh all excelled on another famous day for Tyrone football.

Ulster sides enjoyed a good weekend on the hurling front as the championship action continued.

In the Nickey Rackard Cup, the late great Damian Casey helped Tyrone to a 1-12 to 0-11 derby win over Donegal in the Nickey Rackard Cup as he racked up 1-7.

Armagh also had the winning feeling as they beat 13-man Louth 2-16 to 2-11 with Eoin McGuinness and Ryan Gaffney grabbing their goals.

Monaghan raised four green flags as they defeated Longford by 12 points – Pauric Dowdall with a hat-trick and Stephen Lambe converting a penalty.

Fermanagh were 3-12 to 2-7 winners over Warwickshire in what was an emotional day for the Erne County coming a week after the death of team-mate Shane Mulholland.

Derry had two points to spare against Mayo with Ruairi Convery landing six points in trying conditions.

The big win came for Antrim though as Ciaran Clarke’s penalty gave them a one-point Leinster SHC success against Laois – 5-17 to 3-22.

Clarke would finish with 2-7 to his name in the thriller in Ballycastle.

20 YEARS AGO

ARMAGH were celebrating a first-ever Division One title as they proved much too strong for surprise packets Wexford at Croke Park.

Stevie McDonnell was the undoubted star in the 1-21 to 1-14 success as he ended with 10 points following a scintillating display while substitute Paddy McKeever wrapped up the title with a late goal.

All the drama at HQ belonged to the undercard as Monaghan stunned Meath in the Division Two final with a last-gasp goal ensuring a massive pitch delay that led to a delay in Armagh’s clash with Wexford.

In a cracking contest, it looked like the Royals would prevail as they led by two points with one play left.

That play was a Paul Finlay free to be dropped in around the house, but with a bit too much steam on it – allowing Mark Ward to try and punch over his own bar to seal the win. Unfortunately for the Meath man, he made a mess of it and punched into his own net to spark incredible scenes.

Down reached a first All-Ireland U-21 final since 1984 following a 2-7 to 0-9 win over Dublin in Navan.

James McGovern scored a crucial goal at the end of the half to put Paddy O’Rourke’s side 1-5 to 0-3 ahead at the turn, and Niall McArdle grabbed goal number two minutes after the restart to give them enough space to fend off a Dublin fightback.

Bernard Brogan tried his best to haul the Leinster side back into it, but they tired having played three games in 15 days with Mark Vaughan and Willie Lowry missing out through suspension.

30 YEARS AGO

DERRY qualified for the National League final following a dogged 1-8 to 2-3 win over rivals Tyrone at Croke Park.

The first half was a stinker, Mattie McGleenan with Tyrone’s only score as they trailed 0-4 to 0-1.

The second half improved considerably and Derry stole a march as a mix up in the Red Hand defence left Anthony Tohill with the simplest of tap-ins. Gerard Cavlan and Peter Canavan grabbed goals to bring Tyrone back into it, but Derry held out.

Awaiting them in the decider was a Donegal outfit who were 1-14 to 2-8 victors over Laois.

James McHugh goaled for Donegal in the first half but Tom Bowe responded to leave just a point between the sides at the break. Laois grabbed a goal early in the second half to move ahead, but the Tir Chonaill County kept their cool and reeled off the necessary scores to progress.

St Patrick’s, Maghera claimed the Hogan Cup with a 2-11 to 1-6 destruction of Good Counsel.

Having lost the final the year previous, the Derry school made amends with Damian McErlain and Aengus Murphy scoring first-half goals to set them on their way.