It’s another busy weekend on the club scene, with action in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Football Leagues, as well as the Minor Hurling Championship Final.
On Friday, in the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League, there are local derbies between Clontibret and Doohamlet and Monaghan Harps and Truagh. Both Clontibret and Doohamlet are out again on Sunday, when the former travel to Scotstown and the latter host in-form Magheracloone. Leaders Ballybay take on Inniskeen, while Castleblayney are at home to Latton.
There is a full round in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League on Sunday. Table-toppers Currin are away to Carrickmacross, while nearest challengers Corduff host Seán McDermotts. Tyholland take on Rockcorry, Drumhowan face Éire Óg and Aughnamullen have home advantage against Donaghmoyne.
In the Gerry’s Takeaway, Ballybay Junior Football League, the ‘Game of the Week’ sees Cremartin and Blackhill go head-to-head at 5pm on Sunday. Cremartin, who lost both league and championship finals last year, will be favourites to continue their 100% record this year against a Blackhill side who have had a mixed start. They will have to guard against complacency,however, as Blackhill almost caught them out with a stirring comeback in an exciting JFC first-round game last year. In the other JFL games, Aghabog and Killeevan meet in a local derby, while Killanny host Clones and Emyvale travel to Aghabog.
Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling Championship Final
Castleblayney v Clontibret, Sunday, 7.00, Monaghan
Clontibret defend the MHC title in Sunday’s final at Gavan Duffy Park against the team they beat in last year’s final, Castleblayney.
Clontibret eased through to another final with a straightforward win over Emmet Grattans in the semi-finals, while Castleblayney got a walkover from Truagh. Last year saw Clontibret win the MHC, although Blayney reversed the result in the MHL Final.
Liam Savage, Gareth Brennan, Dáire McKeown, Damien Moorehead and Lorcan Murphy should play key roles for Clontibret, while Blayney will be heavily reliant on the accuracy of Fergal Rafter, though Cormac McNally and Niall Gartland also have county minor experience.
Meanwhile, Monaghan continue their preprations for this month’s Ulster Minor Football Championship by playing Fermanagh in a challenge match in Clones at 7pm on Saturday and the county Under-17s contest the Buncrana Cup.
By michael Fri 6th May
