ARCHIVES: Canavan signs off in the perfect fashion while Lavey’s Ulster hopes ended in the boardroom

10 YEARS AGO

BALLYCRAN won a first Down SHC title since 2011 as a late flurry of scores saw them past Ballygalget in Portaferry.

Ballygalget were left wondering how they hadn’t lifted the Jeremiah McVeagh Cup as they led 0-16 to 0-11 with 10 minutes remaining but Ballycran hit 1-4 without reply to steal it.

Brendan Ennis came off the bench to hit the crucial goal in the 1-15 to 0-16 win with Scott Nicholson tagging on a few crucial late points.

Cootehill Celtic were another side left with regret as they let a 13-point interval lead slip in their Cavan SHC final against Mullahoran. Ryan Smith’s late goal ensured that a second outing was required.

Cork’s domination of the ladies game continued as they won a 10th All-Ireland title in 11 years.

The Rebels were 0-12 to 0-10 winners over Dublin at Croke Park as they secured their second five-in-a-row in just over a decade.

Dublin, managed by current Armagh boss Greg McGonigle, gave them their fill but Briege Corkery once again dragged her side through it as her All-Ireland haul hit the dozen mark.

The JFC final was a novel one with Scotland appearing in their first decider, but Louth proved far too strong.

20 YEARS AGO

GOOD teams win one, great teams win two and Tyrone’s incredible 2005 odyssey ended with the Sam Maguire as they beat Kerry in a 1-16 to 2-10 thriller.

When Tomás Ó Sé goaled for the Kingdom in the 57th minute, they looked in a good position to push on and win the game, but the Red Hand rearguard held firm as they limited Kerry to just two white flags from there.

Fittingly, it was Peter Canavan who scored Tyrone’s goal on the day with the GAA legend retiring after the game. The perfect end for one of the game’s greatest ever players.

Chris Lawn, who came on in the final and performed well, also hung up the boots in the days that followed.

Kerry boss Jack O’Connor was unhappy with referee Michael Monahan who blew for full time a minute early, but he paid tribute to Tyrone.

It was an Ulster double at Croke Park as Down minors put the disappointment of their Ulster final defeat to Armagh behind them to lift the Tom Markham Cup with a ruthless 1-15 to 0-8 win over Mayo.

Unsurprisingly, Martin Clarke was the best player on the pitch while Paul McComiskey hit 1-3 for the victors.

In Derry, Banagher ended a 25-year wait for the Derry SHC title when they dethroned Dungiven on a 2-9 to 1-11 scoreline.

Cathal McCullagh was the hero as his goal in additional time secured the title.

Tadhg Kennelly became the first Irish man to win the AFL Premiership as his Sydney side defeated the West Coast Eagles.

30 YEARS AGO

CONFUSION reigned in the Ulster SHC club semi-final as the clash between Derry champions Lavey and Down’s Ballycran was called off.

The Oakleaf side had made it clear they would not fulfil the fixture as it came 22 hours after the club’s Derry SFC meeting with Bellaghy, with nine players involved in both squads.

Ballycran had indicated that they would line out even if their opponents weren’t present, but neither side showed up to Dungannon.

While Lavey appealed, the game was ultimately awarded to Ballycran.

The late John Morrison, formerly of the Gaelic Life parish, was named Antrim football manager.

Morrison had previously been part of the Armagh management team under Jim McCorry.