NostalGAA across the decades: Derry management row rumbles on

A look back through the decades…

10 YEARS AGO…

THERE was a big shock in Newry as Dessie Mone – who came on in Clontibret’s Monaghan semi-final win over Ballybay on Sunday past – scored a last-gasp goal to help their side past favourites Kilcoo in the Ulster Club Championship.

The Magpies already knew they were losing manager Jim McCorry to Down when their season ended, and they were hoping to sign off on another successful era under his watch with a good run towards a first provincial crown the undoubted target, but they fell at the first hurdle.

The Oriel side’s win was all the more impressive as they lost Paul McGuigan to a red – after yellow and black cards – just 14 minutes in, but Conor McManus’ free-taking in breezy conditions was keeping them in touch.

Kilcoo would lose two men to reds in the final moments, Niall Branagan and Niall McEvoy dismissed, and the latter came after Mone’s match-winning intervention as he palmed home a Mick O’Dowd pass to seal a 1-9 to 0-11 win.

There was a low-scoring affair in the Derry final as Sleacht Néill edged out Ballinderry 1-8 to 0-9 – once again an injury time goal proving decisive – to lift the trophy.

Ulster champions Ballinderry looked like they would edge home to their latest title but Gerald Bradley palmed home Chrissy Bradley’s sideline ball to seal a second-ever title for the side.

In the Armagh final, Crossmaglen eased to a 4-14 to 0-9 win over Armagh Harps in a damp squib of a decider.

Jamie Clarke, who missed 20 minutes of the game after suffering a facial injury, plundered 2-1 on an easy day for the Rangers.

20 YEARS AGO…

RUMOURS swept around the O’Moore County that legendary manager Mick O’Dwyer was to leave his role as Wicklow manager, but they were quashed by county chairperson Dick Millar.

It was believed that had he stepped away, Dublin may have come calling – but he didn’t, and O’Dwyer would complete another two seasons with the Leinster county while the Dubs turned to Paul ‘Pillar’ Caffrey.

Enniskillen’s domination of the Fermanagh football scene came to an end as they were defeated by an up-and-coming Derrygonnelly, who would subsequently go on to become kingpins.

The Gaels had won six Erne titles in a row and reached two Ulster finals in that time, but a 1-9 to 0-11 win saw Derrygonnelly finally end their run.

Team captain Kevin McGrath’s goal proved decisive with Kevin Cassidy the most relieved man on the pitch as his penalty was saved by Chris Breen.

In the International Rules, Pete McGrath’s Ireland obliterated Australia on a 77-41 scoreline in front of over 46,000 fans.

Galway’s Pádraic Joyce, Wexford’s Mattie Forde and Armagh’s Stevie McDonnell scored the goals at Croke Park as Ireland put one hand on the Cormac McAnallen trophy.

30 YEARS AGO…

THE ongoing saga following Eamonn Coleman’s dismissal as Derry manager continued apace.

A number of Oakleaf players had boycotted the team for the start of the league, and Mickey Moran told them that if they weren’t at training the following Wednesday then they wouldn’t be considered for the rest of the season.

Moran was speaking after a shocking 1-17 to 0-8 home league loss to Laois, a result that really stood out even given the lack of regulars.

He declined to speak to the written media present but made his position clear on those absent players in a post-match radio interview.

On the pitch in the first round of league games, Donegal claimed a tame 0-8 to 0-7 win over Down while Armagh had too much for Mayo, Cathal O’Rourke and Oisín McConville with the goals.

Frank McEneaney hit 1-4 as Monaghan eased past Kilkenny in Carrickmacross while new Cavan manager Martin McHugh saw his side edge Antrim, Ronan Carolan with two late scores to secure the win on a 0-11 to 0-10 scoreline.

Elsewhere, a GAA rule being trialled caused plenty of debate, sound familiar?

Back in 1994, it was a decision to not allow consecutive hand-passes, something slammed by players and managers alike after the first round of the National League.

Donegal’s Declan Bonner said “would someone, somewhere, tell me who came up with this crazy idea, and why?” while Down manager Peter McGrath called for it to be tossed onto the “rubbish heap.”