IN THE ARCHIVES…McKenna Cup player availability up for discussion

10 YEARS AGO

TYRONE manager Mickey Harte said his final selection for the upcoming Dr McKenna Cup would only come after the third level teams make their selections.

Harte said he entered negotiations with Ulster President Martin McAviney on the situation.

It comes after St Mary’s manager Paddy Tally had said he would pull the college out of the competition if they didn’t have access to their county players.

Derry Chairman John Keenan stepped down from his role after five years in the post. The news comes in the same week Roisin Jordan was elected as the Chairperson of Tyrone GAA.

There was a theme of indiscipline raised at both AGMs.

Oakleaf secretary Danny Scullion, in his address, said the level of sportsmanship in the county “left a lot to be desired” while his Tyrone counterpart claimed in his report that Armagh “engineered” a melee in their All-Ireland Qualifier during the season.

With ‘Mossy’ Quinn leading the line, St Vincent’s were winners over Rhode to land the Leinster senior title to bring the curtain down on the competitive season.

20 YEARS AGO

GAA President Sean Kelly launched the Christy Ring and Nickey Rackard Cup in a bid to restructure hurling championships.

The Christy Ring Cup will have 21 teams with 10 in the tier three Nickey Rackard Cup guaranteeing more games for a wider range of counties.

Both finals will be held prior to the two All-Ireland semi-finals in August and 15 players from both competitions will be honoured by being selected on two individual teams of the championship.

Crossmaglen forward Johnny Murtagh was selected the Ulster GAA Writers’ player of the month for December.

Murtagh was key as the Rangers won Ulster after needing a replay to see off Sleacht Néill in the opening round.

Crossmaglen also had to negotiate the tricky quarter-final against Kingdon Kerry Gaels in London.

Clare champions Kilmurry/Ibrickane won their first ever Munster SFC title after a 0-9 to 0-8 replay win over Stradbally.

Kilmurry, who led 0-7 to 0-5 at the break, were determined not to repeat the errors of last week.

They had to do it with 14 men after John O’Connor was sent off after 38 minutes.

When the Waterford champions looked like staging a comeback, the Clare side held on for a famous win.

On the local front, with the help of the Ulster Herald, Tyrone GAA launched their new website for underage fixtures and results.

30 YEARS AGO

DOWN were rewarded with seven players on the All-Star football team after winning the All-Ireland title earlier that summer.

Winning captain DJ Kane was joined by Miceal Magill, Paul Higgins, Gregory McCartan, Greg Blaney, Mickey Linden and James McCartan.

Beaten finalists Dublin had goalkeeper John O’Leary, Jack Sheedy and Charlie Redmond in the selection with Tyrone’s Peter Canavan also included after the Red Hands reached the Ulster final.

On the hurling front, Limerick and Offaly both had six players after the Faithful County’s smash and grab. A late burst saw them win the Liam McCarthy Cup after Limerick looked home and hosed.

Edmond Cleary and Larry Tompkins scored a combined 1-14 as Castlehaven ran clear of Manchester side Oisin in the All-Ireland quarter final.

In hurling, Munster champions Kilmallock – with Paddy Kelly landing ten points – were winners in the All-Ireland quarter final against Sean Treacy’s of London.

Castlehaven were then beaten by Kilmacud Crokes who edged out Bellaghy of Derry in the final.

It was the final day when Dunloy were held to a draw by Birr.