Omagh mark return to Ulster with Cross win

OMAGH picked up a memorable win at Healy Park as they defeated then Ulster heavyweights Crossmaglen in a highly-entertaining televised Saturday game.

It was their first game in the competition in 26 years, but the St Enda’s men showed enough grit and determination to eke out a 2-8 to 1-9 win.

That was especially evident when they came back from seven points down with Ronan O’Neill causing James Morgan real bother in attack while defender Barry Tierney bravely punched home the crucial goal 10 minutes from time.

When Kyle Brennan put Cross 1-9 to 1-2 ahead just two minutes into the second half, few would have thought it would be their last score with the Armagh side picking up a few red cards in the closing stages.

Elsewhere, the action in Donegal had been delayed by the team’s run to the All-Ireland final where Kerry triumphed, but county champions were eventually crowned as St Eunan’s defeated Glenswilly 0-9 to 0-6.

Maxi Curran’s side kept the holders, who had reached the previous season’s Ulster final, to just a single point from play through Brian Farrell.

Old hands John Haran and Rory Kavanagh provided a solid second-half base around the middle with the younger players doing enough on the scoreboard to get Eunan’s over the line.

In Munster, Austin Stacks ended a 20-year wait for a Kerry title with current coach Kieran Donaghy enjoying quite the fine few weeks.

In September he had downed Donegal in the All-Ireland final with a crucial 1-2 tally and he was in inspired form here too, as the Tralee side eased past Mid Kerry with an early-match blitz.

A SPECIAL Congress in Dublin agreed with the establishment of an arbitration tribunal concept in a move to try and reduce the number of court actions.

In essence, this proved to be the formation of the Disputes Resolution Authority and it was passed into rule at the following April’s Congress.

The initial proposal at Special Congress at Croke Park was voted in unanimously.

It was oh la la for Ulster as they booked their spot in the inter-provincial final – and a trip to Paris in the process.

Brian McEniff’s side trailed Connacht by a point at the break in Castlebar, but they dominated the second period to win 0-15 to 1-6.

Star of the show was Enda Muldoon who kicked some wonder scores while fellow Derry man Paddy Bradley kicked half a dozen points, including five frees.

In the Ulster SHC final, O’Donovan Rossa earned a narrow 0-16 to 0-14 win over Down champions Ballygalget.

There was big news before throw-in at Casement Park when it became apparent that ‘Galget corner-forward Martin Coulter was not fit to line out, and given the margin of defeat, it certainly felt like a ‘what if’ moment.

Coulter had scored the winner in a semi-final thriller with Dungiven, but flu’ got the better of him for the decider and the Antrim outfit took advantage.

Paul Graham and Chris Hamill did enough up front to secure the title for Rossa – their fourth and last to date – as they plundered seven points between them.

ALL-IRELAND champions Down discovered who they would be putting their titles on the line against as the Ulster draw pitted them against Donegal in the preliminary round with Monaghan awaiting the winners.

It was viewed as a bit of a Hallowe’en horror for Pete McGrath’s side, and ultimately that was how it worked out as the Tir Chonaill county easily bettered them the following year.

It was a pretty shocking weekend for the Mourne County overall then as Laois beat them 2-14 to 0-11 in the league – although the Down teamsheet was missing some of their heroes from the previous summer.

Donegal were leading the way in Division One after a fine victory over neighbours Derry – Manus Boyle top-scoring with five points at MacCumhaill Park.

In Division Two, Armagh suffered a surprise loss to a Galway side that was shorn a raft of players still involved in club championships.

Martin McQuillan ballooned a penalty over the bar in the 0-10 to 0-8 loss in Tuam with Jim McConville also missing an early goal chance.

The Orchard County had felt they had won it in the final seconds, but referee Pat Russell ruled out the goal for a square ball.