Previews

Allianz National Football League Division Two Final

Donegal v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Croke Park

Monaghan take on Donegal in the NFL Division Two Final on Sunday at Croke Park.

Monaghan secured a second consecutive promotion with four straight wins to finish their group campaign at the expense of Louth, Armagh, Laois and Galway, following a win (v Meath), a draw (v Down) and a defeat (v Donegal) in the first three rounds. Donegal also won five, drew one and lost one of their seven matches, as they also beat Louth, Armagh, Laois and Galway, as well as drawing with Meath and losing to Down.

There are four changes to the Monaghan team named by Malachy O’Rourke from the win over Galway. Colin Walshe and Gavin Doogan are out injured and replaced by Kieran Duffy and Jack McCarron, while midfielders Peter O’Hanlon and Dick Clerkin make way for Owen Lennon and Paul Finlay. Donegal have two  changes, with Ryan McHugh and Patrick McBrearty in for Neil Gallagher and Dermot Molloy.

Monaghan may have lost to Donegal in Letterkenny in March, but they, of course, won the Ulster final against the same opposition last July, so will have no fears on Sunday, although Jim McGuinness might have his side’s preparations a bit further on, given that their championship bow is just a month away. The game will be followed by the Division One Final between Derry and All-Ireland champions Dublin.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Drew Wylie, Fintan Kelly; Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey, Karl O’Connell; Owen Lennon, Paul Finlay; Kieran Hughes, Stephen Gollogly, Christopher McGuinness; Dermot Malone, Jack McCarron, Conor McManus (Capt.).

Subs: Gerard McCaffrey, Ryan Wylie, Conor Boyle, Conor Galligan, Martin McElroy, Dick Clerkin, Darren Hughes, Paudie McKenna, Pádraic Keenan, Shane Carey, Thomas Kerr.

Donegal: Paul Durcan; Éamon McGee Neil McGee, Karl Lacey; Frank McGlynn, Leo McLoone, Anthony Thompson; Rory Kavanagh, Martin McElhinney; Christy Toye, Ryan McHugh, Odhrán Mac Niallais; Colm McFadden, Michael Murphy (Capt.), Patrick McBrearty.

Subs: Michael Boyle, Declan Walsh, David Walsh, Luke Keaney, Paddy McGrath, Neil Gallagher, Conor Classon, Mark McHugh, Martin O’Reilly, Darach O’Connor, Dermot Molloy.

Ulster Minor Football League Shield Final

Monaghan v Cavan, Saturday, 12.00, Clones

Monaghan face neighbours Cavan in the Ulster MFL Shield Final at St. Tiernach’s Park on Saturday.

Monaghan won the Ulster minor league and championship last year, but defeats against Down and Armagh consigned them to the shield competition this time around, although they did finish the group stage with a come-from-behind win against Saturday’s opponents, before cruising past Antrim in last Saturday’s shield semi-final. Cavan began Group B with an easy win over Armagh, but ended up bottom on head-to-head v Monaghan after losing to them and Down, but they crushed Fermanagh last weekend to set up this game.

Barry McGinn, Mikey Murnaghan, David McAlister, Micheál Bannigan, James Mealiff, Seán McMahon and Conor Duffy are key players for Monaghan, who will also hope to have Barry Kerr and Daithí Colton available, while Ryan Connolly, Ben Conaty, Dara McEnroe and James Brady should feature for Cavan.

Ladies National Football League Division One Semi-Final

Dublin v Monaghan, Sunday, 12.00, Dunleer * Please note change of time and venue

Monaghan’s ladies will bid to qualify for another national final when they take on Dublin in Sunday’s NFL semi-final.

Monaghan finished third in the table after wins over Cork, Laois, Tyrone and Donegal, as well as a draw with Dublin and defeats against Kerry and Mayo. The Dubs, who are now managed by former Monaghan boss Gregory McGonigle, were the only unbeaten team in the group stage, although two draws meant they finished just behind table-toppers Kerry.

Ballybay will attempt to continue their impressive start to the County Monaghan Credit Unions Senior Football League when they take on Castleblayney on Wednesday evening.

There is a local derby between Inniskeen and form team Donaghmoyne in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League on Wednesday evening.

The Eurotech Junior Football League continues on Saturday evening. Something has to give when the two teams with 100% records – Killanny and Blackhill – go head-to-head, while the other unbeaten side, Aughnamullen, are away to struggling Drumhowan. Elsewhere, Toome make the long trip to Killeevan, Oram host Éire Óg and Aghabog meet Scotstown. There is also a rescheduled game between Éire Óg and Blackhill on Wednesday evening.

The Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling League begins on Thursday evening. Defending champions Inniskeen are up against Castleblayney, while Truagh face Monaghan Harps. Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling League leaders Truagh are away to Cootehill on Saturday, while second-placed Monaghan Harps go to Castleblayney and Clontibret take on Carrickmacross.

Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division 1A front-runners Clontibret play Truagh on Saturday, while Corduff is the venue for the game between Magheracloone and Monaghan Harps. There are two Division Three games on Wednesday evening, with Monaghan Harps and Emyvale making the journeys to Currin and Killanny respectively.

The McElvaney Recycling Minor Football League reaches the penultimate round before the exam break on Tuesday evening. Division One pace-setters Donaghmoyne are away to Killanny, while Scotstown make the similarly short trip to Monaghan Harps and St. Patrick’s welcome in-form Carrickmacross to Ballybay. Clontibret, Cremartin, St. Tiarnach’s and Magheracloone have home advantage against Truagh, Doohamlet, Toome and Emyvale respectively in Division Two, while the Division Three fixtures are Aughnamullen v Emerald Sarsfields, Inniskeen v Tyholland, Latton v Corduff, Killeevan v Seán McDermotts and Patrick Emmetts v Castleblayney.

The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions continue over the next week with games in the Under-16 Football League and the Under-12 Football Spring League.