NOSTALGAA: Canavan decides epic trilogy while the famine ends in Clare

10 YEARS AGO

ARMAGH’S hopes of reaching just a second-ever All-Ireland Ladies Senior final were ended by a ruthless Dublin outfit who won 2-16 to 2-5 at Parnell Park.

Gregory McGonigle, who would go on to manage the Orchard County, said he was delighted with how they shut down Caroline O’Hanlon and Aimee Mackin.

They both raised a green flag, but it mattered little as Dublin eased to a final date with Cork.

Another early September Sunday and another Kilkenny All-Ireland success as they defeated Galway 1-22 to 1-18.

Four points may have been the winning tally, but it was more comfortable than that as Joe Canning drilled home a consolation goal for the Tribe County in additional time.

It was a Galway malfunction in the second half. They led 0-14 to 1-8 at the break, but were blitzed in the second half as Kilkenny won an eleventh All-Ireland title since the Millennium.

They haven’t won one since, a suggestion that would have been laughed out of Croke Park that day.

On a bad weekend for Connacht, Mayo’s All-Ireland dreams were left in tatters after a 3-15 to 1-14 semi-final replay loss to Dublin.

A week before, Mayo had stirred down the stretch to haul the Dubs in, but this time it was Jim Gavin’s side that took over in the final quarter to set up a final date with Kerry.

Philly McMahon hit 1-2 from corner-back while there were also green flags for Bernard Brogan and Kevin McManamon.

20 YEARS AGO

ONE of the most famous matches in GAA history, with one of the most famous conclusions, as Tyrone defeated Armagh to book a place in the All-Ireland final.

After some unruly Ulster final clashes earlier in the season, behaviour not at the best on the pitch or in the stands, the neighbours treated the nation to a bona fide classic.

Armagh had lifted the Anglo Celt after two encounters despite being slightly second best, and on this occasion Tyrone had won the big prize despite being slightly second best – certainly for the majority of the second half anyway.

The magic moment came at the death when a rather harsh free was awarded to the Red Hands, Owen Mulligan handing over to the master Peter Canavan who kicked over to seal a 1-13 to 1-12 success.

The match, of course, was also notable for Joe Kernan’s decision to substitute Kieran McGeeney with seven minutes remaining. Hindsight and all, but in the passage of time it has been viewed as a massive blunder.

Armagh reached the All-Ireland Junior Ladies final after a 4-11 to 1-12 win over Fermanagh.

Aileen Matthews, Marian Tennyson, Patricia McEvoy and Mags McAlinden scored the goals for Armagh with Caroline Little’s brilliant 1-9 keeping the Erne County in touch.

Declan Browne earned some much-deserved national silverware as Tipperary won the Tommy Murphy Cup 3-10 to 0-15 against Wexford.

Browne, of course, led the way with a fine 1-7 tally at Croke Park.

30 YEARS AGO

THE long Clare wait was over and the Banner County celebrated accordingly as a first Liam MacCarthy Cup was secured since 1914.

In the first final to take in gate receipts of over £1million (punt), the Banner overcame Offaly on a 1-13 to 2-8 scoreline as the holders came up just short.

Ger Loughnane made them dream, Anthony Daly drove them on and Éamonn Taaffe scored the late goal that let ultimately led to one of the most famous All-Ireland successes.

Taaffe wasn’t included in the squad named for the game, but his name was there on the sheet handed to the referee pre-match so he was able to feature. And he made the decisive contribution.