10 YEARS AGO

O’Donovan Rossa won the Ulster IHC title following a 1-15 to 0-6 win over Eoghan Rua at Owenbeg.

Stephen Beattie was the star of the first half for the Antrim champions as his 1-2 tally helped them to a 1-7 to 0-4 lead at the turnaround.

Eoghan Rua had failed to make use of the wind in the first half, so a second-half recovery seemed unlikely, and it so it proved with full-back Anton Rafferty scoring their only two points after the break.

Rossa continued to add to their tally at the other end with Seaghan Shannon landing a series of frees, but they did suffer a late blow as Beattie was shown a straight red card late on for a pull across Rafferty.

Castleblayney were crowned Ulster JHC champions after a comfortable 4-13 to 1-7 win over Derry outfit Na Magha.

Such a big winning margin looked unlikely at the interval as the sides trotted off level, Niall Garland and Fergal Rafter scoring goals for ‘Blayney and Brendan Douban hitting a three-pointer for Na Magha, but the second half was a completely different story.

For one, Na Magha didn’t score in the second half while they also had Breandán Quigley and Mark McShane sent off.

Substitute Tony Forde grabbed a brace of goals to ease ‘Blayney to their second provincial crown.

In the senior semi-final, Cushendall once again proved a thorn in Sleacht Néill’s side as a goal in each half helped them into the Ulster decider at the second time of asking. Karl McKeegan struck in the lead up to half time to give the ‘Dall a solid base in the replay in Loughgiel with Neil McManus scoring a penalty early in the second half to help them to a 2-10 to 0-10 win.

20 YEARS AGO

ONE of the most famous GAA pitch invasions of all time as a wee Jack Russell decided to get stuck right in as Ireland and Australia battled it out in an ill-tempered International Series match at Croke Park.

The dog spent eight minutes in all running around the grass, and wasn’t shy about getting stuck in as the crowd lapped it ruff (sorry, up).

The game itself was marred by some violence, which broke
out even before the first
whistle sounded.

Ireland won in front of a huge crowd of over 60,000 people, many maybe there to see if there would indeed be some fisticuffs – and they left satisfied. The biggest flare up arrived before the start, drawing suggestions of a pre-planned ruck by the visitors, but Ireland kept their focus and with Tadhg Kennelly starring, they were able to lift the Cormac McAnallen trophy.

IT was a famous day for Sleacht Néill as they won their first Derry SFC title with a 1-8 to 0-9 win over Bellaghy, with John Brennan the man to lead them over the line.

An early Jim Kelly goal proved to be the difference as they held to spark wild celebrations.

IN the Ulster Club SFC, Tyrone champions Carrickmore were far too strong for Fermanagh’s Derrygonnelly.

In a niggly contest, Carmen eased to a 3-11 to 0-5 victory at Brewster Park with Peter Loughran, Conor McAleer and Gabriel McCallan getting the goals. McCallan and Derrygonnelly’s Martin Greene were sent off late on after a brawl broke out seven minutes from time.

30 YEARS AGO

ALL-IRELAND hurling champions Offaly were cut down to size at they suffered a shock league loss to Down in Newcastle.

In front of a crowd of 8,000 – imagine that for a Down league game now? – the home half-back line of Marty Mallon, Gary Savage and Martin Coulter produced some of their best work while Noel Sands led the attacking charge with two goals in the 3-6 to 2-6 win.

It was the Liam MacCarthy holders who started brightly and led 1-3 to 0-1 early doors, but Sands found the net and Hugh Gilmore and Michael Braniff also went close to majors as the home side trailed by three at the break.

Sands added his second soon after the interval and when Gilmore flicked home Down were dreaming of a famous win.

Down goalie David Hughes twice denied Dermot O’Prey, once from a penalty, but Pat Temple did goal to set up a grandstand finish. Roared on by that massive crowd, Down were able to see it out.

IT was another busy weekend on the Ulster Club football front with Bellaghy secured a senior semi-final spot after a 0-13 to 1-8 win over Donegal’s Aodh Ruadh.

Having defeated holders Errigal Ciaran in the preliminary round, Aodh Ruadh were tipped by many to advance further but with John Mulholland inspirational at midfield, it was the Derry side who moved forward.