Monaghan’s men and ladies are involved in an enticing Ulster SFC double-header against Armagh in Clones on Sunday afternoon.
Ulster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final Replay
Monaghan v Armagh, Sunday, 3.30, Clones
Monaghan replay their Ulster SFC semi-final against Armagh on Sunday.
After winning the NFL Division Two and grinding out a long-awaited win over Tyrone in their Ulster opener, defending champions Monaghan were in fine form going into last Saturday’s semi-final, but they were sorely tested by Armagh in a typically tense derby. Armagh, who recovered from their league relegation to defeat Cavan in the Ulster quarter-finals, kicked the last three points of the match to salvage a draw and set up this rematch. Both teams have long-running records on their side going into this one, as Monaghan’s unbeaten run in Clones now stands at 15 games, while Armagh haven’t lost a replay in the SFC since 2001.
The Monaghan team named by Malachy O’Rourke shows two changes from the drawn game, with Christopher McGuinness and Paudie McKenna (who both started against Tyrone) coming back in for Jack McCarron and Pádraig Donaghy. With Rory Beggan in fine form in goals and from frees, Monaghan will hope that the likes of Colin Walshe, Drew Wylie, Dessie Mone and Fintan Kelly can raise their game back to top gear on Sunday. Darren Hughes is the driving force from midfield, while Kieran Hughes and Conor McManus are the main men up front. Gavin Doogan is again named on the bench as he works his way back from injury, but Owen Lennon will play no part. Armagh have Brendan Donaghy, Andy Mallon and Kieran Toner back after they each served a one-match suspension, although Caolán Rafferty is still out injured. Jamie Clarke, Kevin Dyas, Ciarán McKeever, Aaron and Tony Kernan, Stefan Campbell and James Morgan are key players for Armagh.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Drew Wylie, Colin Walshe; Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey, Fintan Kelly; Dick Clerkin, Darren Hughes; Ryan Wylie, Christopher McGuinness, Paudie McKenna; Dermot Malone, Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus (Capt.).
Subs: Gerard McCaffrey, Conor Boyle, Conor Galligan, Karl O’Connell, Gavin Doogan, Paul Finlay, Stephen Gollogly, Thomas Kerr, Pádraig Donaghy, Jack McCarron, Owen Duffy.
Ulster Ladies Senior Football Championship Final
Monaghan v Armagh, Sunday, 1.30, Clones
Monaghan’s ladies footballers bid for a fifth consecutive Ulster title when they also take on Armagh in the curtain-raiser at St. Tiernach’s Park on Sunday.
Monaghan were two divisions above their opponents in the National League this year and reached the semi-finals where they lost narrowly to Dublin, but Armagh are on a winning roll after easing to the Division Three title and starting the Ulster championship by beating Donegal. Monaghan, who are now managed by high-profile coach John Morrison, were comprehensive winners over Cavan in their provincial semi-final.
Armagh have a couple of accomplished score-takers in Fionnuala McKenna and Caroline O’Hanlon, but despite the absence of Caoimhe Mohan, Monaghan have plenty of firepower themselves in the form of Cathriona McConnell, Ciara McAnespie, Ellen McCarron and Therese Scott, while Sharon and Cora Courtney, Amanda Casey and Christina Reilly also have plenty to offer.
With the holiday break ongoing for club fixtures, the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions take centre stage over the weekend with games in the Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12 Football Leagues and the Under-16 and Under-12 Hurling Leagues.
The first Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship McKeown Cup semi-final takes place on Wednesday evening, when Killanny are at home to Clontibret, while the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues get back underway with games in all divisions. The top two clash in Division 1A when Scotstown host Clontibret, while Magheracloone travel to Truagh. There are local derbies between Castleblayney and Cremartin and Tyholland and Emyvale in Division 1B, while in Division Two it’s Seán McDermotts v Corduff, Doohamlet v Carrickmacross and Donaghmoyne v Aughnamullen and Monaghan Harps face Aghabog in Division Three.
The McElvaney Recycling Minor Football Leagues resume after the exam break on Tuesday evening. Division One leaders Donaghmoyne face nearest challengers Carrickmacross, while Killanny travel to Scotstown and Monaghan Harps meet St. Patrick’s. The two teams who share top spot in Division Two – St. Tiarnach’s and Truagh – have home games against Doohamlet and Emyvale respectively, with Clontibret and Magheracloone also having home advantage versus Toome and Cremartin. It’s first v second in Division Three when Corduff go to Killeevan, while the other games are Inniskeen v Patrick Emmetts, Latton v Tyholland, Seán McDermotts v Emerald Sarsfields and Aughnamullen v Castleblayney.
By cshalvey Fri 4th Jul
