The draws for the 2011 Monaghan championships were made at the last County Board meeting.
In the Senior Football Championship, there was a sense of déjà vu with the preliminary round pitting the same four teams against each other for the second year in a row, as Monaghan Harps take on Ballybay while last year’s runners-up Magheracloone face Truagh. Clontibret start their bid for a third county title in a row and a fifth in six years against newly-promoted Inniskeen, while the other promoted team, Doohamlet, who won last year’s IFC, were drawn against Latton. Probably the pick of the first-round games is the latest clash of old rivals Castleblayney and Scotstown.
In the Intermediate Football Championship, Currin and Rockcorry will meet in the preliminary round again, like in 2010, with the winners playing the victors of the other preliminary-round game between Drumhowan and Aughnamullen. Last year’s beaten finalists Tyholland are involved in the tie of the round against Donaghmoyne, while 2010 JFC winners Corduff will play Éire Óg and JFL winners Seán McDermotts face a big step-up against Carrickmacross, who drop to intermediate level for the first time since they won the IFC in 2006.
The Junior Football Championship threw up a local derby between Clones and Killeevan in the preliminary round, as well as a meeting of Aghabog and Oram. In the first round, 2008 Ulster JFC winners Emyvale have been paired with Blackhill, while Killanny challenge Toome and Cremartin play Fergal O’Hanlons.
In the Senior Hurling Championship, the preliminary round sees Monaghan Harps play Truagh for the second year in a row, with Clontibret up against Carrickmacross. Defending champions Inniskeen got a bye to the semi-finals, as did Castleblayney, who will be attempting to win back the title which they held for the previous six years.
Monaghan Championship Draws 2011:
Senior Football Championship
Preliminary Round:
A. Ballybay v Monaghan Harps
B. Magheracloone v Truagh
First Round:
Doohamlet v Latton
Clontibret v Inniskeen
Castleblayney v Scotstown
Winners A v Winners B
Intermediate Football Championship
Preliminary Round:
A. Aughnamullen v Drumhowan
B. Currin v Rockcorry
First Round:
Corduff v Éire Óg
Donaghmoyne v Tyholland
Carrickmacross v Seán McDermotts
Winners A v Winners B
Junior Football Championship
Preliminary Round:
A. Aghabog v Oram
B. Clones v Killeevan
First Round:
Killanny v Toome
Cremartin v Fergal O’Hanlons
Blackhill v Emyvale
Winners A v Winners B
Senior Hurling Championship
Preliminary Round:
Carrickmacross v Clontibret
Monaghan Harps v Truagh
Semi-Finals:
Inniskeen & Castleblayney plus Winners of Preliminary Rounds
By michael Thu 27th Jan