Nicky Rackard Cup Quarter-Final
Roscommon v Monaghan, Saturday, 2.30, Athleague
Monaghan’s senior hurlers put their Nicky Rackard Cup ambitions on the line when they travel to Athleague to play Roscommon on Saturday. Both of the teams in action on Saturday lost their opening games to Donegal, but they both have a chance of redemption and a place in the semi-finals.
Monaghan have played Roscommon three times in this competition – twice in 2007 and once in 2010 – and finished on the wrong side of the result each time, so it will take a huge effort from the team to reverse that recent history. Roscommon played in a higher division than Monaghan in the Allianz National Hurling League (Division 2B), but they lost all five games, before falling to a shock defeat against Donegal, so their morale may be low.
Monaghan have Mickey McHugh available after suspension and he could bolster the attack, which was led by Stephen Lambe and Éanna Mac Suibhne last Saturday. Trevor Hilliard is also able to play despite picking up a second yellow card in the dying minutes of the Donegal match. Monaghan and new manager Morgan Lawlor will be looking for more of the same from combative midfielder Hilliard, who had a fine game otherwise, while his midfield partner Gary Boyd will hope to be more involved. Jim McHugh and Peter and Mark Treanor have been in good form in defence, but Paul Murphy may be doubtful after going off injured last weekend. The likes of Gerry and Gary Fallon, Kevin Conneely, David Dolan, Shane McDermott and John Coyne are expected to be among the main men for Roscommon.
This could come down to a similarly close finish to Monaghan’s last outing against Donegal, when a number of missed chances in the second half came back to haunt them. With a bit more composure in front of goal, the Farney men can keep their hopes alive.
With no games involving county players taking place in the Senior, Intermediate or Junior Football Leagues until after Monaghan play their Ulster SFC first-round match on May 27, action this weekend is dominated by reserve fixtures. There will be one game each played in the Intermediate and Junior Leagues on Friday, however.
Bottom club Seán McDermotts are at home to Donaghmoyne in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League on Friday.
Meanwhile, there is a local derby between Killeevan and Aghabog, who are both well in the mix for semi-final places, in the Eurotech Junior Football League.
The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship O’Duffy Cup quarter-finals are to be played over the weekend. The first two take place on Friday, when Monaghan Harps host neighbours Scotstown and Latton take on Magheracloone, while the other two are on Sunday, when Drumhowan entertain Killeevan and Castleblayney welcome Corduff to Oram. Three of the four RFC Crawley Cup quarter-finals are also on the schedule. Oram host Éire Óg on Friday, while Sunday’s games see Clones and Seán McDermotts have home advantage against Aughnamullen and Emyvale respectively. Scotstown’s involvement in the O’Duffy Cup means that their Crawley Cup game against Aghabog has been postponed until next Saturday.
There are also games in the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues, with Inniskeen hosting Truagh on Saturday in Division Three and Aghabog and Toome at home to Feargal O’Hanlons and Blackhill respectively on Sunday.
The RFL games continue on Wednesday. Two of the Division One joint-leaders go head-to-head when Castleblayney meet Latton, while fellow pace-setters Scotstown and Monaghan Harps are up against Truagh and Clontibret respectively. The other game sees Magheracloone make the long trip to Tyholland. Division Two leaders Corduff are at home to Doohamlet, while there are also local derbies between Ballybay and Drumhowan and Donaghmoyne and Carrickmacross. Division Four table-toppers Clones host Éire Óg, while Blackhill and Aghabog play Emyvale and Toome respectively.
Before all that, the Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League semi-finals are set for Thursday, when Monaghan Harps are at home to Inniskeen and Clontibret travel to Castleblayney.
On the juvenile front, there are games down for decision in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-16 Football Leagues, Under-14 Football Leagues and Under-14 Hurling League.
There are also championship games in ladies football, with the county players returning to their clubs after last weekend’s National League success.
By michael Thu 17th May
