IN THE ARCHIVES: Canavan shoots the lights out against Fermanagh

10 YEARS AGO

DONEGAL did the job against Fermanagh in the Ulster Championship quarter-final with seven points to spare, though their victory wasn’t without incident as Neil McGee received a straight red for a challenge on Ruairi Corrigan on the cusp of half-time.

On the whole though it was a very good display from the Donegal men with Martin O’Reilly, Ryan McHugh, Frank McGlynn and Eoin McHugh all playing well.

Elsewhere, Fermanagh fell short against a rampant Louth in a Nickey Rackard promotion/relegation play-off clash, while Derry lost by seven points to Mayo in a Christy Ring play-off.

It was a good weekend, however, for the Antrim camogs, who claimed their first Ulster Senior Championship title in four years with a narrow victory over Derry. It took a really strong defensive effort and goals from Caitrin Dobbin and Raquel Merry to get over the line against the Oak Leafers.

20 YEARS AGO

FERMANAGH and Armagh played out a draw in what was described by former Irish News reporter Paddy Heaney as a ‘strange but entertaining’ game in Clones.

The Erne men mustered just two points from play over the course of the game yet came desperately close to reaching the Ulster final. Armagh had to rely on a 70th minute equalising point from Oisin McConville to secure a reply.

Armagh largely dominated the first half in a low-scoring game but Fermanagh kept on chipping away and plundered two goals in a forgettable enough contest overall.

Down overcame neighbours Antrim with plenty to spare meanwhile, in a Christy Ring Cup group stage encounter.

Down had been humbled by the Saffrons in the provincial championship but gained redemption for that defeat in style on a scoreline of 1-23 to 1-7. In the Nickey Rackard Cup, there were wins for Derry, Armagh and Fermanagh, though Cavan, Donegal and Tyrone tasted defeat.

It was also a memorable weekend for the Antrim minors, who accounted for Armagh on a scoreline of 2-8 to 2-7 to secure a final spot for the first time in seven years.

30 YEARS AGO

REIGNING Ulster Champions Tyrone swatted aside Fermanagh with consummate ease on a scoreline of 1-18 to 0-9. Peter Canavan led the way with a personal haul of 1-7, while Adrian Cush, Brian Dooher and the late Jody Gormley also scored multiple points in a comfortable day out before 15,000 supporters at Omagh.

It was a different story in the curtain-raiser as a last-gasp goal from Fermanagh minor Declan Fitzpatrick propelled his side to a dramatic victory over Tyrone, ensuring their place in the semi-finals of Ulster.