UNLIKE OTHER PROVINCIAL championships, the Ulster finals have been anything but predictable in recent years, with seven different teams featuring since 2008.

This year’s final will be the first time that either Donegal or Derry have won the competition in quite some time, with 19 and 13 years respectively since their last triumphs.

And so, as the two sides prepare for the Ulster SFC this weekend, we thought we’d look back at the last three finals.

(Donegal’s Colm McFadden celebrates scoring in this year’s semi-finals – INPHO/Presseye/Russell Pritchard)

2010: Tyrone outplay Monaghan in one-sided affair

Mickey Harte’s side won the most recent Ulster final in comprehensive fashion and justified their credentials as favourites in the process, beating their opponents 1-14 to 0-7.

Tyrone, who were looking to repeat their success from the previous year, were not always as dominant as the scoreline suggests, as they had to be content with a 0-7 to 0-4 half-time lead.

However, Mickey Harte’s men upped the tempo in the second period and Monaghan simply couldn’t cope with the pressure.

They established a 0-10 to 0-4 lead, while denying their opponents at the other end for a considerable period.

Colm Cavanagh then scored a goal, five minutes from time, to ensure Tyrone’s comfortable acquisition of a second Ulster championship on the trot.

(Tyrone’s Ryan McMenamin and Monaghan’s Rory Woods square up to each other – INPHO/PRESSEYE/Russell Pritchard)

2009: Tyrone overcome dogged Antrim

Tyrone beat Antrim by six points despite an impressive comeback from the eventual losers.

It was an admirable fight back from Antrim when you consider that at half time, they were left reeling from a nightmare first-half performance that left them 1-8 to 0-2 down.

However, Paddy Cunningham simply did not deserve to be on the losing side as he scored 11 of his side’s 15 points, while he was narrowly beaten to the man of the match award by virtue of a typically imperious display from Sean Cavanagh.

Despite Antrim’s laudable efforts, Mickey Harte’s side never looked in real danger of letting their lead slip and ultimately emerged as deserved victors.

(Antrim’s Tomas McCann is tackled by Kevin Hughes of Tyrone - INPHO/Cathal Noonan)

2008: Armagh defeat Fermanagh at the second attempt

An impressive comeback from Fermanagh meant the final went to a replay, as the favourites let a 1-5 to 0-4 half-time lead slip.

Their second encounter was not exactly straightforward either.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given their collapse in the previous match, it was a less-than-assured start for Armagh, and were it not for the fact that Fermanagh hit nine wides in the first half, the outcome could have been entirely different.

Therefore, primarily as a result of Fermanagh’s poor finishing, the sides went in level, having registered four points each on the scoreboard.

Armagh, perhaps buoyed by their opponents failure to make their dominance count, began to take control of the game in the second period, taking a 0-10 to 0-6 lead.

Steven McDonnell’s late goal then ensured Armagh secured their fourth victory in the competition in five years, as their opponents were left to rue all those missed opportunities.

(The teams line out ahead of their replay – INPHO/Cathal Noonan)

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