10 Years Ago Today. Tyrone 0-12 Armagh 0-9.

[ONeill]

If Art Mc Rory had been manager of Tyrone in 03,when they won Sam,would September 28th be known as Arthur's Day?

Funny, I was reading a match report earlier of Art's final game:

O'Hara the inspiration as Sligo storm back to outshoot Tyrone

SLIGO 1-14; TYRONE 0-12 THEY looked dead and buried after 20 minutes, but super Sligo stormed back in Lazarus-like fashion to shatter Tyrone's All-Ireland dream in this absorbing and intensely combative All-Ireland fourth round qualifier.


In the initial 20 minutes, Tyrone had played virtually all the football at Croke Park yesterday. They were tight at the back, in command at midfield, and their incisive and imaginative play up front with the Canavan brothers, Peter and Pascal, and Stephen O'Neill excelling constantly had the alarm bells ringing loudly in the beleaguered Sligo defence.

Not for the first time Peter Canavan underlined what a selfless player he is by often setting up scores for teammates when they were only marginally better placed than himself.

And he demonstrated his class, when, though fouled as he kicked the ball, he still managed to place midfielder Cormac McAnallen for Tyrone's sixth point.

With the exception of Sligo fans, the speed, mobility, cohesion and interplay of the Tyrone attack was a joy to watch, and the Ulster side were far from flattered by their 0-8 to 0-2 lead.

After 22 minutes, centre half-forward Dara McGarty provided some hope for the Connacht runners-up with a splendid point from almost the 45-metre line. But four minutes later the status quo was restored with a pointed free by Peter Canavan.

In contrast to the fluidity and imagination of the Tyrone play, far too much of Sligo's football was characterised by an aimless dimension, with many players frequently hoofing the ball up the field, rather than attempting to play the ball to a team-mate.

During this period of Tyrone dominance, the only Sligo player who looked on an equal footing with the opposition was midfielder Eamonn O'Hara, whose undoubted class, composure and vision shone out like a bright beacon.

O'Hara's lightning pace, allied to his excellent ball-winning ability and capability to sidestep opposing players, frequently enabled him to hurt Tyrone, and he showed the way for his team-mates by shooting two super long-range points, in addition to being very unlucky with another attempt. Bit by bit, the Sligo players began to follow the example of their inspirational skipper, particularly the likes of Nigel Clancy and David Durkin in defence, O'Hara's midfield partner Paul Durcan, and Dara McGarty, Kieran Quinn and Dessie Sloyan up front.

And it's a telling indication of the massive improvement in Sligo's level of performance that after Tyrone's ninth point, the northerners managed to add only a meagre three points to their total in the remaining 51 minutes. Of course, the warning signs were evident for Tyrone before the interval break.

After the League champions' ninth point, Sligo rocked them with four points on the trot, O'Hara fittingly leading the surge, followed by Mark Brehony, McGarty and Quinn.

In fact, Tyrone were decidely fortunate that Sligo had not pulled back to parity, rather than trailing 0-7 to 0-9 at half-time, as Quinn could well have found the net after being deftly set up by Sloyan.

But with only goalkeeper Peter Ward to beat, he blazed the ball over the bar. On the re-start, Sligo, who began with six personnel changes from the side beaten by Galway in the Connacht final, moved into an even higher gear.

The supply lines to the Canavans and O'Neill were almost entirely cut off, due to the increasing influences of Durcan and O'Hara over McAnallen and Colin Holmes, and of the Sligo half-back line of Noel McGuire, Nigel Clancy and David Durkin over Declan McCrossan, Pascal Canavan and Brian Dooher.

But, in addition to that very significant development, the Sligo defence and midfield started moving the ball around with similar fluidity and inventiveness to Tyrone in the first half, with the result that the Ulster side were often left chasing shadows.

It was a similar story in the battle between the Sligo attack and the Tyrone defence. In the first 20 minutes, the Sligo attacking unit had shown little flair and penetration, but in the second half they played with tremendous understanding, energy and panache.

The first seven minutes of the second half saw Tyrone outscore their opponents by three points to one to move 0-12 to 0-8 in front.

But from that point on, the Red Hands' fans were almost totally silenced, such was the grip that Sligo exerted on the contest.

Appropriately, it was the inspirational O'Hara who initiated the Sligo recovery, pointing from over 45 metres nine minutes into the second half. Twelve minutes later the Connacht men levelled at 0-12 each.

But they should not have had to wait that long, as Gerry McGowan, after being set up by a measured 60-metre delivery from John McPartland, shot wide from 11 metres, with only goalkeeper Ward to beat.

With eight minutes left on the clock, the Westerners delivered the knock-out blow. Dessie Sloyan blasted the ball to the roof of the net, after McGowan's point attempt had struck the left post.

Almost immediately, Sligo should have found the Tyrone net for the second time, but McGowan inexplicably chose to go it alone, when Sloyan was unmarked in front of the goal screaming for a pass, and punched the ball against the left post.

In the dying seconds, the northern outfit had a chance to put more respectability on the scoreboard, but vigilant Sligo defending blocked a goal attempt by McAnallen.

It was a shattered Tyrone side that trooped off the field, but at least they can take some consolation at contributing to a rivetting contest which provided tremendous value for money.

Indeed, the only downside was once again the standard of refereeing, with many of John Bannon's decisions being extremely baffling.

Frequently players who were being fouled were penalised by the match official, who, like most other referees, allowed players to kick frees and line balls yards from the appropriate spot.

SCORERS Sligo: D Sloyan 1-3 (2f); D McGarty 0-4; E O'Hara 0-3; P Durcan, M Brehony, K Quinn and G McGowan (f) 0-1 each. Tyrone: Peter Canavan 0-6 (3f); Pascal Canavan and S O'Neill 0-2 each; C McAnallen and B McGuigan 0-1 each.

TEAMS AND RATINGS

SLIGO J Curran 7; P Naughton 6, B Philips 7, M Cosgrove 5; N McGuire 6, N Clancy 8, D Durkin 7; P Durcan 8, E O'Hara 9; J McPartland 7, K Quinn 7, D McGarty 8; M Brehony 6, D Sloyan 8, G McGowan 6. Subs: N Carew 7 for Cosgrove (25), P Taylor 5 for Brehony (46), S Davey no rating for Quinn (65), J Davey no rating for Taylor (70). Yellow Cards: P Durcan (25), P Naughton (26), D Sloyan (63).

TYRONE P Ward 7; C Gormley 5, C Lawn 6, B Robinson 6; R McMenamin 5, C McGinley 5, P Jordan 6; C McAnallen 7, C Holmes 5; B Dooher 6, Pascal Canavan 6, D McCrossan 5; B McGuigan 5, S O'Neill 7, Peter Canavan 8. Subs: C Gourley 5 for Gormley (ht), K Hughes 5 no rating for McGuigan (54), G Cavlan 5 for Pascal Canavan (61), E Mulligan no rating for McCrossan (64).

REF J Bannon (Longford).

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/ohara-the-inspiration-as-sligo-storm-back-to-outshoot-tyrone-26042023.html

[SkillfulBill]

Would Tyrone have won in '03 without Armagh's victory the previous year?

Really hard to know. Did Armagh have the same total hunger in '03?

In '05 the margin between the two was miniscule. We were lucky to be one ahead when the whistle was blown.

Not sure if Tyrone would have won it in 03 had Armagh not won in 02 but it was coming with a special group of u21's and Mickey in charge.

Armagh in 03 were well up for it. One thing losing your All - Ireland title its another thing losing it to your next door neighbours.

05 was by far the best win for Tyrone as there really was nothing between either team and Armagh would have beaten Kerry.

That's what must wrankle them most to know that history could have been so different.  Armagh could easily have won 3 All - Irelands with that team. Instead Tyrone won them and Armagh as a county fell into decline. Still and all you have to look back and acknowledged that was a great era for both counties and exceptional teams.

[ONeill]

I know it's pointless, but I often wonder what would've happened in '04 had we won our respective QFs that day Fermanagh and Mayo won.

I'd have fancied Armagh and another All-Ireland.

[SkillfulBill]

If Art Mc Rory had been manager of Tyrone in 03,when they won Sam,would September 28th be known as Arthur's Day?

Wouldn't have happened he had two chances and fcuked them both up. Up by 7 with 20 to go in 86 and against the worst team to win an AIF in 95.

[Gabriel_Hurl]

A great memory from that day a great dummy and point from McGuigan which left Geezer on his hole

[Fuzzman]

I'm sure it was answered before but what was the outcome of the appeal by Marsden that time.
Was the main issue did he make contact or can you get sent off for an attempted punch?

I think both teams really peaked around 2005 and it's a pity Armagh have faded away in recent years as that was a very exciting rivalry during those years. Both teams had great forwards but sadly neither have now

[sensethetone]

tyrone deserved their win in 03, enda mc ginley, sean cavanagh, calvin and muligan all fluffed a one on one with hearty although muligan did get cramp when he shot cos it went wide so it did- but if he hadn't of got cramp...

[rrhf]

I'm sure it was answered before but what was the outcome of the appeal by Marsden that time.
Was the main issue did he make contact or can you get sent off for an attempted punch?
He got cleared because the referee spelt his name wrong.

I think both teams really peaked around 2005 and it's a pity Armagh have faded away in recent years as that was a very exciting rivalry during those years. Both teams had great forwards but sadly neither have now

Agreed Whilst the slagging is great the rivalry and sometimes we try to belittle the achievements of the 2 groups, by alleging this and that,  the quality of the football played was much superior to it is now from the Dubs or anyone.  Many will argue but have they watched it - I repeat the 2005 semifinal was the greatest game of all time and something had to give after and it was Armagh.    Id love both teams to get back up there for another joust or two. 
Lest start with a first round draw in Omagh. 

[imtommygunn]

Are you the gaa fan version of willie fraser?

[rrhf]

Mustafa break.

[Sidney]

I repeat the 2005 semifinal was the greatest game of all time

That 2005 semi-final was an incredible game alright. Nobody gave Galway a chance but they just had one of those occasional days where they can do no wrong. Kilkenny, as they always do, came right back at them, incredibly reducing a 14 point deficit to a puck of the ball by the end. I don't know if if was the greatest game of all-time, mind. That's a big claim.

[Mike Sheehy]

Lets be honest though. They are fading fast from the memory. Canavan, Mugsy (what was his real name  anyway?)..who else ?

Ten years from now nobody will remember Tyrone, yet the names "Gooch", Brogan, Moynihan, MDMA, Dara O'Se , Aidan O'Shea will echo through the ages. Not because these men were perfect, by any means. Rather they strove for perfection against those whose only aim was to stop them. That nobility means something to those south of the border.

[sensethetone]

didnt one of the kerry players fail some sort of test after playing an AI final, maybe its not not that things are forgotten maybe some people don't want to remember

[Mike Sheehy]

didnt one of the kerry players fail some sort of test after playing an AI final, maybe its not not that things are forgotten maybe some people don't want to remember

This shows the disgraceful levels that Tyrone are willing to descend to. Impugning the character of an asthmatic who was cleared of any offence.

[armaghniac]

Fair play to you Mike Sheehy, it takes a truly unusual individual to make Jim Allister look generous in spirit by comparison.