Allianz National Football League Division Three
Fermanagh v Monaghan, Saturday, 7.00, Enniskillen
Monaghan take on neighbours Fermanagh in a top-of-the-table clash in the NFL Division Three at Brewster Park on Saturday evening.
Monaghan’s form has been up and down so far, with a comprehensive win over Meath being followed by a disappointing local-derby defeat against Cavan, before they bounced back by beating Sligo last Sunday. Fermanagh are the only team remaining unbeaten in the division after wins against Wicklow and Roscommon and a draw with Antrim last Saturday evening.
Malachy O’Rourke has made three changes to the Monaghan team for the trip to his native county. Darren Hughes and Conor McManus return from injury and suspension respectively to replace Neil McAdam and Christopher McGuinness, while Mark Keogh regains his place in goals ahead of Under-21 captain Rory Beggan. The addition of Darren Hughes bolsters a defence which has been performing well so far, with Dessie Mone and Colin Walshe in good form. Owen Lennon and Dick Clerkin continue their vastly-experienced partnership at midfield, while there should be plenty of scpring potential in a forward line containing McManus, Paul Finlay, Tommy Freeman and Kieran Hughes.
Fermanagh have been transformed since Peter Canavan took the manager’s job there in late 2011, as they were promoted from Division Four last year and have carried their winning habit into this season. Their only two defeats from their seven games so far came against Tyrone in the Dr. McKenna Cup semi-finals and Monaghan in the last group game of the early-season competition, when both counties fielded experimental line-ups. Fermanagh’s improvement has been built around a tight back-line, but they also have a prolific full-forward line in Paul Ward, Daryl Keenan and Seán Quigley. The latter is out with a broken ankle, but his absence could open up a space for Daniel Kille or Tomás Corrigan. The Erne County are backboned by experienced players like Marty McGrath, Shane McCabe, Niall Bogue and Tommy McElroy, although James Sherry is also out injured.
After what O’Rourke admitted was a “horror show” in Cavan, morale in the county has been lifted somewhat by the win over Sligo and the Under-21s’ Shamrock Cup success on Wednesday night. A win here would move Monaghan to the top of the league, at least until Cavan’s game against Sligo on Sunday, and would be a big boost to the county’s promotion hopes, so a big team performance would be timely.
Monaghan (v Fermanagh): Mark Keogh; Dessie Mone, Fintan Kelly, Kieran Duffy; Colin Walshe, Darren Hughes, Karl O’Connell; Owen Lennon (Capt.), Dick Clerkin; Gavin Doogan, Kieran Hughes, Owen Duffy; Conor McManus, Paul Finlay, Tommy Freeman.
Subs: Rory Beggan, Ronan McNally, Conor Galligan, Martin McElroy, Drew Wylie, Neil McAdam, Christopher McGuinness, Dermot Malone, Stephen Gollogly, Stephen Smyth, Pádraig Donaghy.
Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A
Monaghan v Fingal, Sunday, 2.00, Inniskeen
Monaghan will bid to get off the mark in this year’s NHL when they welcome Fingal to Páirc Grattan on Sunday.
Monaghan got off to a poor start when they were comprehensively beaten by Donegal, while Fingal drew with Louth. Monaghan have won their last two meetings with Fingal, having beaten them in the 2011 Nicky Rackard Cup and last year’s league, but the north-Dublin side are working with a more settled team at the minute.
Mickey McHugh, Peter Treanor, Éanna Mac Suibhne and Pauric Dowdall were the only seasoned campaigners to line out in Letterkenny, so Joey Morris will hope to be able to introduce some more experience for this one against a Fingal side who possess hurlers of the ability of John Mike Sheridan, Ross McGarry, Colm Foley, Andrew Richardson and Cian O’Mahoney. Monaghan will be up against it, but an improved performance would at least be something to build on.
Ladies National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Mayo, Sunday, 2.00, Aughnamullen
Monaghan’s senior ladies footballers will attempt to maintain their 100% start to their defence of the NFL Division One title when they host Mayo in a rescheduled match on Sunday. This game was due to have been played last month, but was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.
Monaghan have three wins to their name already, having beaten All-Ireland champions Cork, Meath and Donegal. Mayo also won their first two games against Tyrone and Donegal, but they lost to Laois last Sunday.
Monaghan will be looking for big performances from Cathriona McConnell, Caoimhe Mohan, Sharon Courtney, Ciara and Aoife McAnespie, Christina Reilly and new captain Ellen McCarron also remain important players for Monaghan. Cora Staunton is still the star of the show for Mayo, having hit 3-23 in their first three games, with Fiona McHale, Deirdre Doherty, Martha Carter and Claire Egan other key players. Monaghan should do enough to move out on their own ahead of Cork and Laois at the top of the table.
Ulster Minor Hurling League Division Two
Monaghan v Fermanagh, Wednesday, 7.30, Cloghan
Monaghan begin their defence of the Ulster MHL Division Two against Fermanagh in Cloghan on Wednesday night.
Monaghan, who also beat Fermanagh in the Ulster shield final to complete a double, are once again able to call on the likes of Dónal Meegan, Tony Forde, Michael Paul O’Dowd, Aodh Curran, Ciarán McQuaid, Conor Boyle and Cathal McAnespie, so they should be capable of giving this competition a good rattle again this year.
Round two of the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues takes place this Sunday. Latton and Monaghan Harps, who both drew their opening matches, go head-to-head in Division 1A, while Magheracloone and Scotstown, who also took a point each from the first round, are up against Castleblayney and Clontibret respectively. Ballybay, Drumhowan and Truagh have home games against Tyholland, Cremartin and Doohamlet respectively in Division 1B. Carrickmacross make the short trip to Donaghmoyne in Division 2A, where the other game sees Corduff travel to Killeevan, while Seán McDermotts host Aughnamullen in Division 2B. There are local derbies between Clones and Currin and Emyvale and Feargal O’Hanlons in Division 3, as well as the meeting of Toome and Aghabog.
By michael Fri 8th Mar
