10 YEARS AGO

THE Clare hurlers and management released a statement slamming the “numerous inaccuracies” in the media regarding the departures of Davy O’Halloran and Nicky O’Connell from the Banner County squad.

The statement, issued by Clare’s joint-captain Cian Dillon and distributed via county board PRO Sean O’Halloran, insisted that the group remains very much “united” and will “continue to enjoy working hard for Clare hurling” as they showed their support for manager Davy Fitzgerald.

The players had been punished, allegedly for being out socially a few days prior to a match, but O’Halloran was especially critical of the decision.

Elsewhere, Ryan McShane was to the fore as the Armagh u-21s set up an Ulster Championship semi-final showdown with Tyrone.

Antrim had started well at the Athletic Grounds, but a quickfire 1-2 from the Armagh Harps man took the game away from them.

A Niall Grimley goal minutes after the restart ensured a comfortable day’s work for the Orchard County as they won 2-13 to 1-5.

Antrim couldn’t avoid an NHL relegation play-off as they were beaten by four points by Offaly.

Michael Bradley’s five points kept the Saffrons in it, but the Faithful County booked a quarter-final spot with a 2-17 to 0-19 win.

Derry’s hopes of reaching the NHL Division 2A final came to an end following a 0-12 to 1-8 loss to Wicklow.

The Garden County headed north without a point to their name but Andy O’Brien’s eight points changed all that with Brendan Douban’s first-half goal proving not enough.

20 YEARS AGO

DONEGAL manager Brian McEniff suggested that he would break the habit of a lifetime and pen a letter to GAA headquarters to complain about decisions in their one-point loss to Dublin.

Dublin won 1-11 to 0-13 at Parnell Park with the visitors left infuriated by a number of decisions, most notably Tomas Quinn’s winning 45 that was originally given as a wide before referee Michael Ryan overruled his umpire.

Conal Keaney also kicked a point in the second half that McEniff claimed was “at least two yards wide.”

Tyrone’s five-year unbeaten league run at Healy Park came to an end following a 0-16 to 1-11 loss to Mayo.

The Connacht side, destroyed by Kerry in the previous year’s All-Ireland final, were full value for their win having overcome a slow start that saw the Red Hands race five points clear early on with Stephen O’Neill doing serious damage.

David Clarke’s excellent save in the 18th minute changed the feel of the match and the Mortimer brothers, Conor and Trevor, and Billy Joe Padden brought the game to Tyrone, and they took the two points back down the road with them.

Wexford withstood a strong Down comeback to secure a three-point win in Newcastle.

The visitors, who were in flying form, led by seven points midway through the second half before Benny Coulter sparked a comeback with a series of points, but Wexford won out 2-13 to 1-13.

30 YEARS AGO

IN 1994, Dublin met Down in the All-Ireland final but a few months later the former’s relegation alongside the Mourne County was confirmed following a one-point loss to Derry.

Seamus Downey delivered the last rights, his last-gasp point sending the Dubs down and securing a quarter-final berth for the Oakleafers.

Down had already been relegated before their trip to Kildare, and the Sam Maguire holders were easily outclassed by the Lilywhites with Greg Blaney nabbing their only point from play in the nine-point loss.

Armagh secured their Division Three status with a hard fought win over Leitrim.

The Orchard County raced into a 2-1 to 0-0 lead early on, but didn’t score again in the half and trailed by a point.

Manager Jim McCorry warmed their ears at the break and they came back to win 3-9 to 0-10 with Oisín McConville, Ger Holahan and Des Mackin finding the net.

Antrim also maintained their Division Three status with a 1-10 to 0-7 win over Longford, although they lost Paul McErlean to a red card late on.