With this weekend free from Allianz National Football League action for Monaghan, attention turns to the county senior hurlers and minor footballers, as well as the start of the club football leagues.
Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A
Monaghan v Fermanagh, Sunday, 2.00, Clones
Monaghan will attempt to finish their NHL campaign on a positive note in Sunday’s local derby at home to Fermanagh.
Monaghan made a disappointing start when they let a lead slip in the closing stages against Longford – a result they have come to rue in the promotion race – but they bounced back with wins over Roscommon and Louth, before losing to Donegal last Sunday. Fermanagh’s run has taken a very similar pattern, with an opening defeat against Donegal being followed by back-to-back wins against Louth and Longford and a heavy loss to Roscommon last time out. These neighbouring counties have clashed regularly in recent years, including 12 months ago when Fermanagh ran out narrow winners in a very scrappy game.
Trevor Hilliard, Éanna Mac Suibhne, Mark and Peter Treanor, Hugh Byrne and Seán Leonard are key players for Monaghan, while Fermanagh will be looking for big performances from Seán Corrigan, Ryan Bogue, Declan and JP McGarry and Shea Curran.
Ladies National Football League Division One
Donegal v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Glenfin
Monaghan’s ladies will attempt to return to winning ways when they travel to Donegal on Sunday.
After beating Cork, Laois and Tyrone and drawing with Donegal, Monaghan’s unbeaten run came to an end against Kerry last time out. Donegal have had a nightmare league to date, losing all five games, although they did put up a much better battle against Mayo in their most recent outing.
Monaghan will be looking for big performances from Niamh Kindlon, Cathriona McConnell, Sharon and Cora Courtney, Ellen McCarron and Aoife McAnespie, while Donegal, who are without key players like Geraldine McLaughlin, will need Emer Gallagher, Niamh Carr, Aisling Cunningham and Nicole McLaughlin on top form.
Ulster Minor Football League Group B
Monaghan v Down, Saturday, 12.00, Clones
Monaghan begin their defence of the Ulster MFL title with a home game against Down on Saturday.
Monaghan also won the Ulster championship last year for the first time since 1945, setting the bar high for the class of 2014, who are again managed by Frank Brady, with a new back-room team featuring James Conlon, David McCague and Martin Corey. Most of the stars of 2013 are ineligible, but regular starters David McAlister, Barry McGinn, Mikey Murnaghan and Shane Treanor are still underage, while panel members Daithí Colton, Dermot Gleeson, Seán McMahon, Shane Grimes, Caolán McElwain and Aaron Jones are also back.
Quinn’s Corner Ulster Club Intermediate Football League Final
Inniskeen v Dungannon, Sunday, 12.00, Emyvale
Inniskeen are bidding for early-season silverware when they contest the Ulster Club IFL Final in Emyvale on Sunday.
Inniskeen finished joint-top of Group B after winning four of their five games, before edging out Urney from Tyrone in last Sunday’s semi-final. Another side from the Red Hand County, Dungannon Thomas Clarkes won all five games on their way to topping Group C and they saw off Armagh’s Silverbridge in the last four.
Inniskeen will be without some of their dual players on county hurling duty, but they should be able to call on the likes of Paul, Ronan and Dónal Meegan, Matthew McKenna and Gerard McArdle.
The Senior, Intermediate and Football Leagues all get underway this weekend. Four games in each division will be played between Saturday and Sunday, with 24 teams in action – one match in each grade has been postponed due to dual players’ involvement in the county senior hurlers’ Allianz League derby with Fermanagh.
Scotstown start their defence of the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League with a local derby against Monaghan Harps on Sunday. That is the last of the four SFL games this weekend, with the first being the clash of Latton and Clontibret on Saturday evening. There is a mid-Monaghan derby on Sunday between 2012 county champions Ballybay and 2012 IFC winners Doohamlet, while newly-promoted Currin begin their second senior campaign in three years with an away game against Magheracloone in Inniskeen.
The Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League also gets underway on Saturday evening when Corduff face 2013 Ulster JFC winners Emyvale. Last year’s teams relegated from senior, Carrickmacross and Rockcorry, travel to Tyholland and Cremartin on Sunday, while Donaghmoyne have home advantage against Clones.
2013’s relegated intermediate clubs are in action on Sunday in the Eurotech Junior Football League, with Aughnamullen away to Aghabog and Drumhowan hosting Killanny. Elsewhere, Oram face Killeevan and Toome are away to Scotstown’s junior team.
There is one Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division Two game between Inniskeen and Seán McDermotts on Friday evening, while there is a busy weekend’s action in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-14 Football Leagues, followed by two Under-14 Hurling Championship quarter-finals on Monday.
The McElvaney Recycling Minor Football League Division One starts with a full round of games on Tuesday evening, with Scotstown, Donaghmoyne and defending champions Carrickmacross having home advantage against Monaghan Harps, Killanny and St. Patrick’s (Ballybay and Drumhowan) respectively.
The county ladies are in action this weekend, but some Monaghan players will also be involved in the O’Connor Cup Finals weekend at Queen’s playing grounds, the Dub, starting on Friday.
By cshalvey Thu 20th Mar
