Ulster’s Croker match ups

With talk that this year’s Ulster final could be played at Croke Park, we take a look at some of the previous all-Ulster meetings at GAA Headquarters.

2003 All-Ireland SFC semi-final

Armagh 2-10 Donegal 1-9

ARMAGH kept their two in-a-row hopes alive in front of 76,000 spectators with an extremely hard-earned win over Brian McEniff’s Donegal in the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final. Armagh almost paid the price for an uncharacteristically wayward display in front of the posts, totting up 21 wides by the final whistle, and the sides were level with 70 minutes on the clock. Philip Loughran punched Armagh into the lead before Oisín McConville drilled the killer penalty to the net three minutes later.

2003 All-Ireland SFC final

Tyrone 0-12 Armagh 0-9

AN historic all-Ulster All-Ireland final, Tyrone reached the promised land for the first time ever with victory over their neighbours across the Blackwater. The game itself wasn’t much to look at – it was error-strewn and foul-ridden, perhaps unsurprisingly so given so much was at stake. Tyrone led by 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval, though Armagh kept on plugging away and could’ve got a late goal only for a famous block by Conor Gormley. Tyrone sensed it was their day and Stephen O’Neill got his second point from play to set the seal on their maiden All-Ireland triumph.

2004 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final

Fermanagh 0-12 Armagh 0-11

ONE of the most famous Gaelic footballing upsets as Fermanagh claimed a shock victory over heavy hitters Armagh at Croke Park. Armagh had been joint 5/2 favourites for the All-Ireland the week of the match, but they were undone by a gutsy and talented Fermanagh side who overcame a nervy start to bring themselves right back into the game. The second half was a real roller-coaster to say the least. Armagh, who had Enda McNulty red carded early on, couldn’t impose themselves on the underdogs, and Tom Brewster’s winning point in injury time will never be forgotten in the Erne County.

2005 Tyrone-Armagh trilogy

AN incredible saga of Tyrone-Armagh games at Croke Park. First, the drawn Ulster final: Tyrone really should have had this game put to bed, with Stephen O’Neill taking Francie Bellew for six points from play, but Armagh were renowned for their never-say-die attitude and snatched a draw with a late Stevie McDonnell goal followed up by a cracking point from Paul McGrane. The replay was equally drama-laden with Tyrone finishing with 13 men following controversial sending offs of Stephen O’Neill and Peter Canavan. While they lost that game, Tyrone won the war, edging a classic All-Ireland semi-final en route to their second All-Ireland title in three years.

2014 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final

Donegal 1-12 Armagh 1-11

A GAME that was very much overshadowed by Donegal’s subsequent shock victory over Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final, this was an entertaining game in its own right. Paul Grimley’s Armagh came close to pulling off an upset, leading with three minutes to go, but Donegal had the final say with a 68th-minute leveller from captain Michael Murphy, his fifth of the evening, followed by a dramatic winner from Paddy McBrearty from out on the left wing. Only six of Donegal’s points came from open play but they improved immeasurably on their next day out against All-Ireland champions Dublin.

2021 Ulster SFC final

Tyrone 0-16 Monaghan 0-15

THIS game was scheduled for GAA headquarters to allow a larger crowd than could be permitted in Clones under the Covid-19 restrictions of the time, and it certainly didn’t disappoint as Tyrone and Monaghan served up an entertaining contest. Tyrone looked in control at half-time with a 0-11 to 0-6 advantage but Monaghan came roaring back into proceedings in the second half. Ultimately Tyrone were able to hold on, while the Farney bowed out of the championship due to that season’s knock-out format. Tyrone ended the season as All-Ireland champions, claiming further Croke Park victories over Kerry and Mayo.

2023 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final

Monaghan 0-14 Armagh 0-14

ARMAGH, not for the first time, suffered penalty heartache as Monaghan won a hugely dramatic All-Ireland quarter-final in a shootout after the teams couldn’t be separated after extra-time. Monaghan keeper Rory Beggan twice saved from Callum Cumiskey as the Farney men won an incredible tense shootout 9-8, booking a date with the Dubs in the All-Ireland semi-final. It could easily have been Armagh’s day – Rian O’Neill scored what looked for all the world like the winning point deep into extra-time, but Conor McManus equalised with a free in the dying seconds to set up penalties.