Nicky Rackard Cup Quarter-Final
Monaghan v Sligo, Saturday, 3.00, Inniskeen
Monaghan have a second chance to qualify for the Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals when they host Sligo at Páirc Grattan on Saturday.
Monaghan lost to Tyrone last Saturday in a game where they fell away in the second half after competing well in the first half against a fired-up Red Hand team who they had relegated from Division 3A of the Allianz National Hurling League in a dramatic play-off. Sligo lost their opener against Roscommon the previous week, following on from their NHL Division 3B campaign, where they reached the final, only to lose out to Longford.
Monaghan were strengthened last weekend by the return of Séamus Loftus and Deaglán Crowe, while new recruit Tadhg Campbell made his debut, scoring a goal. Joey Morris will hope to have Mark Treanor and Éanna Mac Suibhne back for this one, to play key roles along with Mickey McHugh, Peter Treanor, Trevor Hilliard, Brian McGuigan and Seán Leonard. Keith Raymond, Gary Waldron and Liam Reidy should be among the main men for Sligo. If Monaghan can produce a 70-minute performance this time, they have every chance of returning to winning ways.
Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League Semi-Finals
Monaghan Harps v Clontibret, Thursday, 7.30, Gavan Duffy Park
Truagh v Inniskeen, Thursday, 7.30, Truagh
The Development Hurling League reaches the semi-final stage on Thursday evening. Table-toppers Monaghan Harps have home advantage against Clontibret. The Harps won their five group games by an average of more than 10 points, including a comfortable defeat of an understrength Clontibret, who finished fourth thanks to wins over Carrickmacross and Castleblayney. The Harps will be looking for big performances from Maurice McKenna, Alan Ryan, Aodhán Óg McAnespie and Jack Lee, while Noel Morgan and Fergal and Kieran Greenan should play central roles for Clontibret.
The other game sees Truagh host Inniskeen. Truagh edged out Clontibret in the last round to make it four wins from five – their only defeat coming against Monaghan Harps – and come second, one place ahead of Inniskeen, who finished on six points. Truagh will hope to have Conor Boyle, Conor McGinnity and Pauric McKenna on form, while Paul and Ronan Meegan and Michael Lennon should be to the fore for Inniskeen
Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling League Final
Truagh Harps v Cootehill, Saturday, 5.00, Cloghan
Truagh Harps will hope to atone for last year’s MHC Final defeat against Emmet Grattans when they take on Cootehill in the MHL decider in Cloghan on Saturday.
The teams finished joint-top of the league table after they both won three consecutive games against Clontibret, Carrickmacross and Castleblayney. They were due to meet last Sunday, but their game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch in Cootehill and with both teams already qualified, it was agreed to proceed straight to the final.
Truagh Harps have a number of players who helped Monaghan to two Ulster minor hurling finals earlier this year, such as Conor Boyle, Ciarán McQuaid, Noel Flood, Cathal McAnespie and Tiarnán Bramley, while Cootehill can call on a number of players who starred for the Cavan minor hurlers, including Caoimhín Carney, Fiachra Hughes, Dermot Connolly and Enda Shalvey.
Scotstown will be expected to stretch their winning run in the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League to eight games when they host winless Carrickmacross on Sunday. The other team yet to gain their first win of the year, Rockcorry, are at home to Ballybay, while Doohamlet entertain Latton. The game between Monaghan Harps and Castleblayney has been postponed, due to Blayney players’ involvement with the county senior hurlers, while the game between Magheracloone and Clontibret is dependent on the Mitchells deciding to return to fulfilling their fixtures, as is their game against Latton on Wednesday. Elsewhere on Wednesday, Scotstown travel to Ballybay, Clontibret take on Rockcorry, Monaghan Harps entertain Doohamlet and Castleblayney face Carrickmacross.
Tyholland make the journey to Corduff on Saturday evening for a Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League game, but Inniskeen’s clash with Currin is off due to the Nicky Rackard quarter-final. Leaders Truagh travel to Clones on Sunday, while Aughnamullen face Cremartin and Drumhowan go head-to-head with Donaghmoyne. There is a full round down for decision on Wednesday, including a south-Monaghan derby between Corduff and Donaghmoyne. Two of the top four cross swords when Truagh play Inniskeen, while Currin welcome Aughnamullen to Scotshouse, Drumhowan clash with Cremartin and Tyholland meet Clones.
There is a north-Monaghan derby between Éire Óg and the Scotstown ‘C’ team in the Eurotech Junior Football League at Smithborough on Saturday, while Killeevan, Oram, Blackhill and Seán McDermotts are the hosts in Sunday’s games against Killanny, Emyvale, Toome and Aghabog respectively.
There are two games in the McElvaney Recycling Under-21 Football League Division One on Friday, when Latton and Clontibret have home advantage against Truagh and Scotstown, while Donaghmoyne make the short trip to Carrickmacross for a Division Two game. Blackhill and Seán McDermotts were due to contest the Division Three Final on Friday, but that has been postponed.
In the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division Three, Monaghan Harps and Currin meet on Friday, while Killanny travel to Emyvale on Wednesday.
The action in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions consists of fixtures in the Under-16 and Under-14 Football Leagues, as well as the Under-14 Hurling League.
By cshalvey Thu 16th May
