With the recent heatwave continuing, a sell-out crowd is expected in Clones on Sunday, when the heat will reach fever pitch as Monaghan contest both minor and senior Ulster finals.
Ulster Senior Football Championship Final
Monaghan v Donegal, Sunday, 4.00, Clones
Monaghan are chasing a first Ulster SFC title in 25 years when they take on hot favourites Donegal in Sunday’s final at St. Tiernach’s Park.
After reaching the Dr. McKenna Cup Final and winning the National Football League Division Three, Monaghan reached the third final of their first year under Malachy O’Rourke thanks to wins over Antrim and Cavan in the championship so far. Meanwhile, All-Ireland champions Donegal, who are seeking a historic third consecutive Ulster title, have seen off Tyrone and Down to return to this stage. Monaghan have a good record against Sunday’s opponents, most recently in 2007 and 2008 championship fixtures which featured many of those who will be involved once again, but they have yet to run into this Donegal team, who have been transformed under Jim McGuinness.
Monaghan will need big performances from their more experienced players like Owen Lennon, Paul Finlay, Vincent Corey, Dessie Mone, Stephen Gollogly and Darren Hughes, while Conor McManus will shoulder most of the scoring burden. Kieran Hughes and Colin Walshe, despite their relative youth, also have plenty of experience under their belts and have been in fine form recently.
Donegal have a lethal full-forward line in Paddy McBrearty, Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden, while Mark McHugh, Frank McGlynn, Rory Kavanagh and Neil and Eamon McGee will also have key roles to play. They have brought Footballer of the Year Karl Lacey back into the team for his first start of an injury-interrupted season, although Neil Gallagher has again been named on the bench.
Donegal enter the game strongly fancied to retain the Anglo-Celt Cup, but Monaghan will do everything in their power to wrestle it from the holders’ grasp.
Monaghan: R Beggan; K Duffy, D Wylie, C Walshe; V Corey, N McAdam, D Mone; O Lennon (Capt.), D Hughes; P Finlay, S Gollogly, D Malone; C McGuinness, K Hughes, C McManus.
Donegal: P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; F McGlynn, K Lacey A Thompson; R Kavanagh, R Bradley; David Walsh, L McLoone, M McHugh; P McBrearty, M Murphy (Capt.), C McFadden.
Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Final
Monaghan v Tyrone, Sunday, 2.00, Clones
Monaghan’s minors will attempt to end the county’s long wait for an Ulster MFC title when they take on Tyrone in the final on Sunday.
Monaghan haven’t won this competition since 1945, although they have contested two finals in the last five years, both of which resulted in narrow defeats against Tyrone, including last year. Monaghan can once again call on several of last year’s side, while Tyrone are working off a new panel.
It has been a good year so far for Monaghan, as they ended a 24-year wait for an Ulster minor league when they beat Donegal in the final, having seen off Tyrone in a thrilling semi-final. Frank Brady’s side then put up a big score in their championship opener against Antrim, before holding off a late charge from Cavan in the semi-finals. Tyrone have come through tough championship matches against Donegal and Down to qualify for yet another final.
Monaghan’s main strength is up front where they have the likes of Conor McCarthy, Fearghal McMahon, Ryan McAnespie and Adam Treanor, while David McAlister is the main man at midfield and Kevin Loughran, Aodh Curran and Adam Kieran anchor the defence. Tyrone will be looking for big performances from Ruairí McGlone, Shea Hamill, Lee Brennan, Dáire Gallagher and Pádraig McGirr, while Stephen McGrath and Che O’Donnell have both made impacts off the bench so far. It is likely to be another close encounter, but if Monaghan can break even at midfield, they have the scoring power to come out on top.
By cshalvey Sat 20th Jul
