Ulster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Monaghan v Antrim, Sunday, 3.30, Casement Park,
Monaghan will attempt to book their place in the Ulster SFC semi-finals when they take on Antrim in Belfast on Sunday.
Monaghan were promoted from Division Three of the Allianz National Football League Division Three this spring, winning the final against Meath in the process, while Antrim were relegated in Division Four. Malachy O’Rourke’s side also had a comfortable win over Sunday’s opponents in the last round of the NFL, although Monaghan had to come from behind to battle past the same opposition at this stage of the championship last year. Both teams are much changed from that encounter, as they both have new managers as well as a number of changes to the starting teams (six for Monaghan and nine for Antrim).
Antrim have lost James Loughrey, who has moved to Cork, as well as Tomás McCann and Tony Scullion, who fell out with manager Frank Dawson, but Seán Kelly, Ricky Johnston and Mark Sweeney return to the team, while Patrick McBride and Michael Pollock are handed championship debuts. The Saffrons will need big performances from Paddy Cunningham, Kelly, Justin Crozier and Kevin Niblock.
Monaghan, whose team features two SFC debutants in Scotstown goalkeeper Rory Beggan and Clones full-back Fintan Kelly, will be looking to Conor McManus, Darren Hughes, Owen Lennon, Paul Finlay and Colin Walshe to lead them through.
The game will be preceded by an Ulster Intermediate Camogie Championship game between Down and Antrim, which throws in at 1.45.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Fintan Kelly, Colin Walshe; Dessie Mone, Neil McAdam, Darren Hughes; Owen Lennon (Capt.), Dick Clerkin; Paul Finlay, Dermot Malone, Owen Duffy; Christopher McGuinness, Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus.
Antrim: Chris Kerr; Kevin O’Boyle (Capt.), Ricky Johnston, Andy McClean; Seán Kelly, Justin Crozier, Patrick McBride; Seán McVeigh, Marty Johnston; Anthony Healy, Paddy Cunningham, Mark Sweeney; Michael Pollock, Kevin Niblock, Brendan Herron.
Ulster Under-21 Hurling Shield Semi-Final
Tyrone v Monaghan, Wednesday, 7.30, Omagh
A place in the Ulster Under-21 Hurling Shield Final will be on the line for Monaghan when they take on Tyrone at Healy Park on Wednesday evening. These counties have battled it out on a regular basis at minor level in the last number of years and they will now step it up to Under-21 level for the right to play either Donegal or Fermanagh in the decider.
Monaghan could be able to call on the likes of Fergal Rafter and Fergal and Brian Greenan, as well as some members of the recent successful minor hurling teams like Jamie Guinan, Kevin Crawley and Conor Boyle. Matthew Mulgrew, Ciarán McCrudden, Tommy Lowe and Mark Mullan could play key roles for Tyrone.
By cshalvey Thu 6th Jun
