10 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

JIM McGuinness was making headlines once again, but this time for – or so we thought back – the last time with Donegal as he announced his departure after four seasons in charge.

McGuinness guided Donegal to the All-Ireland title in 2012 – their first win since 1992 – and won three Ulster championships. They also reached the 2014 decider where they were beaten by Kerry on the day that Armagh coach Kieran Donaghy famously roared: “what do you think of that Joe Brolly?”

“He took over the county when we were at one of our lowest ebbs and he took us to the greatest success rate in our history, reaching four Ulster finals in a row and winning the All-Ireland in 2012,” then Donegal chairperson Sean Dunnion said at the time.

“To take that team from the lows of 2013 to winning Ulster again to within the width of a post of Kerry in the All-Ireland final.

“He has given every child in Donegal the will to play Gaelic football. The impact of Jim McGuinness will be felt for years to come.”

Elsewhere, Roslea retained their Fermanagh title with a low-scoring 3-4 to 1-5 win over Teemore, Sean and Seamus Quigley netting while the unfortunate Declan McDonald scoring a late own goal after the ball rebounded off the upright, hit him and went into the net.

It was the side’s fourth county title in five years in what proved a magical period for the club.

20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

IT’S covered extensively elsewhere in this edition, but 20 years ago this week Armagh claimed their first, and to date only, All-Ireland U-21 title following a battling win over Mayo in front of a huge crowd at Kingspan Breffni.

The match was noteworthy for its 10 minutes of additional time, where plenty of drama followed before Peter Rafferty’s side claimed a 2-8 to 1-9 win.

Armagh faced into the breeze in Cavan, but all was going swimmingly as they led 2-3 to 0-2 early on, Stephen Kernan with a penalty after Brian Mallon was fouled before Ronan Austin added a second.

Back Mayo came though with Aidan Kilcoyne prominent as they closed the gap, but Armagh seemed to have come through the storm with Peadar Toal and Kernan leaving them five up with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

With the Mayo crowd full of voice, the Connacht outfit came back though and drew level late on when Barry Moran scrambled home.

At this stage it looked like there would only be one winner, but Kernan kicked a free before Shane O’Neill grabbed the insurance point.

30 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

THERE was a major shock in the Ulster Club Championship as holders Errigal Ciaran were sent packing by Aodh Ruadh.

The Donegal outfit were 0-15 to 1-10 winners in Ballyshannon but had to hold off a fierce second-half comeback from the Tyrone kingpins who had been behind by seven points at one stage – Peter and Pascal Canavan stirring the side into action with Eamonn Kavanagh grabbing the goal.

Aodh Ruadh were able to hold on though with John Duffy’s five points having a massive say on proceedings with Val Murray and Donal Buggy hitting three points each.

Elsewhere in Ulster, Armagh champions Clan na Gael earned a three-point win over Antrim’s St Paul’s with Barry O’Hagan scoring five points while Barry McAreavey scored an early goal.

Cavan champions Gowna were one-point winners over Lisnaskea.

Colm McCreesh’s goal had given the Erne side a platform, but Gowna dug in to stay in touch and finished the stronger to win out 0-11 to 1-7.