Ulster Minor Football League Semi-Finals
Monaghan v Derry, Saturday, 12.00, Scotstown
Monaghan will attempt to qualify for the Ulster MFL Final for the first time in a number of years when they take on Derry in Scotstown on Saturday.
Monaghan topped Group A of the league after wins over Down and Armagh and a narrow loss to last year’s Ulster champions Cavan, while Derry recovered from an opening-round defeat against Tyrone to beat Antrim, Donegal and Fermanagh to finish second in Group B.
Colin McAree, Noel Marron and Mattie McGleenan have kept the faith with a core group of players so far this year and they are again likely to backbone the team on Saturday, including the likes of Pádraic Keenan, Fergal McGeough, Ryan Wylie, Adam Treanor, Conor McCarthy and Killian Rudden.
Derry can call on some real quality in Ryan Moore, Ryan Bell, Christopher Bradley, Ryan Dougan and Paul Devlin, so Monaghan will need to be on their game to win this one. A victory and a rare minor final appearance would be a major boost for Monaghan, who will also be seeking a big performance as they build up towards the championship, which is now just over a month away.
The top two in the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League go head-to-head in round three on Saturday evening. Ballybay and Castleblayney have both won their first two games, but something must give in their meeting at Pearse Park. Elsewhere, Scotstown and Monaghan Harps will attempt to continue their unbeaten starts when they travel to Clontibret and Truagh respectively, while Latton host Carrickmacross. Currin will bid to get off the mark when they entertain Magheracloone on Sunday.
There is also a top-of-the-table clash in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League, as Aughnamullen and Toome face off on Sunday on the back of successive wins. Corduff and Rockcorry are chasing their first points of the season in games away to Doohamlet and at home to Tyholland respectively. Before that, there is a local derby between Donaghmoyne and Inniskeen on Saturday evening, as well as the meeting of Seán McDermotts and Cremartin, who will hope to build on positive results last weekend.
Oram put their unbeaten start in the Eurotech Junior Football League on the line when they travel to Smithborough to play Éire Óg. Emyvale and Blackhill, who have both beaten Drumhowan already, are up against each other, while Drumhowan are at home to Aghabog and Killeevan, who defeated neighbours Clones last Sunday, travel to Killanny.
In the Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League, leaders Castleblayney take on their nearest challengers Clontibret on Thursday, while Truagh are at home to Monaghan Harps and Fermanagh side Knocks make the long trip to south Monaghan to play Inniskeen.
The Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling League continues on Sunday with games between Castleblayney and Truagh Harps (Truagh and Monaghan Harps), as well as Emmet Grattans (Carrickmacross and Inniskeen) and Clontibret.
There are three games down for decision in the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues over the weekend. Scotstown make the short trip to play Truagh in Division Three on Saturday, while the two games in Division Four are between Monaghan Harps and Toome on Friday and Fergal O’Hanlons and Emyvale on Sunday.
GRM Minor Football League Division One front-runners Scotstown will attempt to make it five wins in a row when they travel to Clontibret on Tuesday, while Carrickmacross and Monaghan Harps will try to keep their improved form going when they go head-to-head and Killanny will chase a first win in their game at home to Castleblayney.
Latton are the only team to have put back-to-back wins together in the MFL Division Two and they will be targeting a hat-trick in their game in Cremartin, while second-placed Seán McDermotts are away to Donaghmoyne. Emyvale and Truagh contest a north-Monaghan derby and Magheracloone host Rock Sarsfields.
In Division Three, Blackhill, Corduff, Inniskeen and St. Patrick’s have home advantage against Tyholland, Cúchulains Sarsfields, St. Tiarnach’s and Doohamlet respectively.
It’s a typically busy few days ahead in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg.-sponsored juvenile competitions. The Under-16 Football Leagues take centre-stage on Thursday, the Under-14 Football Leagues dominate the weekend’s action and the Under-14 Hurling League resumes on Monday evening.
By michael Thu 19th Apr
