Previews

Allianz National Football League Division Two

Donegal v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Letterkenny

Monaghan travel to Letterkenny on Sunday for an eagerly-anticipated NFL Division Two round-three clash with Donegal.

Monaghan have an excellent recent record against Donegal, most recently of course in the Ulster SFC Final last July, but they will be under no illusions about the challenge waiting for them at O’Donnell Park.

Donegal have fielded strong teams in their convincing wins over Laois and Galway, with Colm McFadden, Michael Murphy and Paddy McBrearty starring in attack. Jim McGuinness’s side have 2012 Footballer of the Year Karl Lacey back in action after his injury struggles, while Frank McGlynn and Neil McGee will also lead the Donegal back-line. Christy Toye has also returned from an injury-hit year to help out Rory Kavanagh and Martin McElhinney around midfield, while Mark and Ryan McHugh will link defence and attack. Jim McGuinness has retained the starting 15 from the Galway win, meaning there is no place for Éamon McGee, who is available after serving a two-match suspension.

Monaghan were pegged back by Down in their first league game at Newry, but an impressive win over Meath has them within striking distance of the league leaders. Malachy O’Rourke has also named an unchanged team for this one, with experienced players like Dessie Mone, Owen Lennon, Dick Clerkin and Kieran Hughes to be kept in reserve.

Sunday will provide Monaghan’s current corner-backs Ryan Wylie and Fintan Kelly with their biggest test yet, with Mone or Colin Walshe capable of reverting to the corner if needed. The midfield partnership of Gavin Doogan and Paul Finlay was much-improved last time out, providing in-form full-forward duo Jack McCarron and Conor McManus with good supply.

A bumper crowd is expected to attend Sunday’s match and the hosts will have a park and ride system in operation from Letterkenny IT and a number of car parks a five-minute walk from the ground will also be in operation. Supporters are asked to note that there is very limited parking on the approach road to the grounds and to co-operate with stewards and signs will be on duty around these areas.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Drew Wylie, Fintan Kelly; Colin Walshe, Kieran Duffy, Conor Boyle; Gavin Doogan, Paul Finlay; Thomas Kerr, Christopher McGuinness, Pádraic Keenan; Dermot Malone, Jack McCarron, Conor McManus.

Subs: Gerard McCaffrey, Dessie Mone, Conor Galligan, Karl O’Connell, Vincent Corey, Owen Lennon, Stephen Gollogly, Shane Carey, Dick Clerkin, Shane Smyth, Kieran Hughes.

Donegal: Paul Durcan; Karl Lacey, Neil McGee, Ryan McHugh; Frank McGlynn, Leo McLoone, Anthony Thompson; Rory Kavanagh, Martin McElhinney; Mark McHugh, Christy Toye, Odhrán Mac Niallais; Colm McFadden, Michael Murphy, Dermot Molloy.

Ladies National Football League Division One

Tyrone v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Killeeshil

Monaghan will look to continue their unbeaten start when they take on Tyrone on Sunday.

Wins over Laois and defending champions Cork got Monaghan up and running in 2014, while they shared the points with Dublin in an entertaining match last Sunday. Tyrone lost heavily to Kerry and Mayo, but they got back on track by beating Donegal last time out.

Monaghan are still short some key players, but the likes of Cathriona McConnell, Sharon Courtney, Ciara and Aoife McAnespie, Therese and Gráinne McNally and Caoimhe Mohan have been featuring. Dublin will be looking to Gemma Begley – who scored 4-2 against Donegal – Cathy Donnelly, Neamh Woods and Christine Hunter to lead their challenge.

Monaghan look set to make it three wins from four.

Danske Bank Ulster Colleges Senior ‘C’ O’Doherty Cup Final

Our Lady’s, Castleblayney v St. Louis, Kilkeel, Thursday, 7.30, Inniskeen

Our Lady’s, Castleblayney contest the O’Doherty Cup Final against St. Louis, Kilkeel at Páirc Grattan this evening (Thursday).

Our Lady’s were knocked out of the ‘B’ MacLarnon Cup before Christmas, but wins over St. Louis, Ballymena, St. Patrick’s, Keady and Holy Cross, Strabane have seen them through to this final, although they now face a step-up in the quality of opposition in Kilkeel. The Down school can call on several players who featured in the MacLarnon Final defeat last year and they have blitzed their way to this stage by hammering St. Pius X, Magherafelt and Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon.

The Castleblayney school have an Ulster Colleges All-Star defender in Barry Kerr, who will be expected to spearhead their challenge along with main marksman Barry McGinn, Conor Marray, Jamie Walshe, Michael Bannigan and Damien Ward. Kilkeel will be looking for big performances from Piarais Kane, Daithí Young, Michael O’Rourke, Seán Gallagher, Kory Colgan and JP Farrell (some of whom missed out on the MacLarnon group stages, leading to St. Louis being knocked out).

Our Lady’s: Barry McEneaney; Eoin McKearney, Mark Kelly, Darragh McKenna; Kevin McVicar, Barry Kerr, Damien Ward; John Beattie, Conor Marray; Ryan Murphy, Barry McGinn, Jamie Walshe; Michael Bannigan, Ryan McVicar, Aaron Kelly.

Subs: James Lavelle, Daniel Friskey, Eoin McNally, Ronan McNamara, Aidan McElroy, Frank Connolly, Aidan Kerr, Cathal Kerr, Mark Connolly, John Leonard, Aaron Courtney, Brandon Rice.

The Monaghan club season begins this weekend with a full round of games in the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division Three. Blackhill, Toome and Killanny are at home to Emyvale, Monaghan Harps and Clontibret respectively on Saturday, while Currin face Truagh on Sunday.

Doohamlet are away to St. John’s, Belfast in the Quinn’s Corner Ulster Club Senior Football League Group A on Sunday, while Inniskeen host Newry Shamrocks in the Ulster Club Intermediate Football League Group B on Monday evening.