Previews

The JFC semi-finals and the start of the IFC dominate a busy week of club fixtures.

McGuigan Builders Intermediate Football Championship Round 1A

Corduff v Cremartin, Saturday, 5.30, Clontibret

Inniskeen v Seán McDermotts, Saturday, 7.00, Clontibret

Clones v Rockcorry, Sunday, 5.30, Scotstown

The IFC gets underway with a double-header in Clontibret on Saturday evening.

First up is Corduff v Cremartin, which should be a closer game than their respective league positions (second and ninth) would suggest. Corduff have had a decent campaign so far after a tough start and their seven wins have included a six-point win over Saturday’s opponents last month, while Cremartin are second-from-bottom, just a point ahead of Rockcorry, although they are still within touching distance of several teams in a condensed table and the Shamrocks could be boosted by their dramatic RFL Division 1B success last week.

Corduff, who will be hoping to improve on their early exit last year, will be looking for big performances from Pádraic Keenan, Keith McEnaney, Declan Larkin, Ciarán Brennan and Brendan McNally. Cremartin, who reached the 2013 quarter-finals, will need Johnny and Paddy McGuigan, Darren Bishop, Niall Flanagan, Mark Magee and Kevin McVicar on form.

Next up is the meeting of league leaders Inniskeen and Seán McDermotts.

Inniskeen, whose last outing was a comprehensive ‘star game’ win over Corduff, are a point ahead at the top of the table, four points and six places ahead of the Seáns, who they edged out in a high-scoring game at the end of May.

Paul, Ronan and Dónal Meegan, Michael Lennon, Matthew McKenna and Gerard McArdle could play key roles for Inniskeen, while the absence of Damien Larkin for Seán McDermotts will increase the burden on the likes of Patrick Kieran, Brian McQuaid, James Treanor and Noel Rice.

Part one of Sunday evening’s double-bill in Scotstown is the meeting of Clones and Rockcorry.

Rock ended a seven-game losing run in the league when they beat Seán McDermotts last Sunday, but they are still bottom; five points behind Clones, who they conceded a walkover to due to an injury crisis in May.

Rock have been strengthened by the return of Fergal McGeough and Mark Daly to a team also led by Noel Carroll, Keith Daly and Niall McKeown, while Fintan Kelly, David and Darren Freeman, Darragh Holland and Adrian Alford are big players for Clones.

McGuigan Builders Intermediate Football Championship Preliminary Round

Carrickmacross v Donaghmoyne, Sunday, 1.30, Inniskeen

Emyvale v Tyholland, Sunday, 7.00, Scotstown

The first of four championship games on Sunday sees Carrickmacross and Donaghmoyne start a double-header at Páirc Grattan.

For 2011 winners Carrick, this is a chance to take a step towards making a quick return to senior, while Donaghmoyne are hoping to atone for a series of disappointments in the latter stages of the intermediate competitions in recent years, including two semi-final defeats in 2013. A quick glance at the IFL table, which shows these teams sharing third place, suggests there is little between them and their most recent meeting – a one-point win for Carrick – backs that up.

Stephen Gollogly, Seán Downey, Mark McNally, Cillian Cromwell and Aaron Lynch should be to the fore for Carrick, with Pádraig Donaghy, Colm Connolly, Christopher Deery, Ciarán Daly and Mikey Murnaghan crucial to Donaghmoyne’s hopes.

The north-Monaghan derby between Emyvale and Tyholland on Sunday evening in Scotstown wraps up the weekend’s action.

2013 Ulster JFC winners Emyvale go into this one on the back of league wins over high-flying Carrickmacross and Donaghmoyne, while Tyholland’s four consecutive victories – in the wake of five games without a win – have moved them clear of the relegation zone. Tyholland, who have seen some veterans retire in the wake of last year’s IFC Final defeat, ran out convincing winners when these teams clashed in May, but it should be much closer this time.

Emyvale will be hoping that Daniel McMahon, James Bellew, Gerard McCaffrey, Ryan McAnespie and David McAlister can inspire their chances, while Tyholland will need likewise from Karl O’Connell, Gary McQuaid, Brian McArdle, Shane Treanor and Dermot Coyle.

Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Semi-Finals

Blackhill v Scotstown, Saturday, 7.00, Tyholland

Aughnamullen v Drumhowan, Sunday, 3.00, Inniskeen

The first JFC semi-final sees Blackhill attempt to reach another decider when they meet Scotstown in Tyholland on Saturday evening.

Blackhill took Emyvale to a replay in last year’s final and they have gone through the front door in this year’s competition with wins over Killeevan, Toome (after a replay) and Aghabog. Scotstown’s mainly youthful junior side are bottom of the league, but they took Killanny to a replay and wins over Toome and Aghabog have booked a surprise semi-final place. Blackhill are third in the table and have already beaten Scotstown twice this year.

Colin Woods, Michael Geehan and Ryan and Ciarán Courtney and Dermot Daly can lead the way for Blackhill against a Scotstown side with Daniel McNally, Stephen Sherry, Matthew McCague, Seán Mohan and Paul Sherlock among their ranks.

Aughnamullen, who were relegated last year after six campaigns in intermediate, have lost just once in 2014 and have looked assured against Éire Óg and Killanny in their progression to a semi-final against Drumhowan. Drumhowan have recovered from losing to Toome to knock Éire Óg, Oram and Killanny out.

Pete and Sam Dooney, Shane Conlon, Colin Clerkin, Colm Flanagan and Lee Conlan have been central to Aughnamullen’s good run, while Drumhowan can pose a threat if Colm Lambe, Kevin and Kieran Mooney, David Millar, Darren Duffy and Anthony Mulligan get going.

Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship McKeown Cup Final

Killanny v Truagh, Saturday, 7.00, Oram

Killanny and Truagh contest the RFC McKeown Cup Final on Saturday evening.

Killanny beat Emyvale and Clontibret to get this far, while Truagh saw off league table-toppers Blackhill and last year’s winners Monaghan Harps, either side of getting a walkover from Currin. The teams shared second place in the RFL Division Three on 12 points, but Truagh, who ran out five-point winners when they met back in March, are worthy favourites.

Eddie Markey, Steven McMahon, Andy Callan and Dónal McArdle are experienced players for Killanny, while Truagh are dependent on Christopher McAnenly, Brendan and Aaron Treanor, Christopher Todd and Niall Skinnader.

Under-21 Football League Division One Final

Magheracloone v Scotstown, Monday, 7.00, Blackhill

The Under-21 FL Division One Final is down for decision on Monday evening.

Magheracloone topped the South section after wins over Castleblayney, Carrickmacross and Killanny, while Scotstown only needed to beat Monaghan Harps to win the North section, with Emyvale and Truagh both conceding.

Scotstown can call on the likes of Conor McCarthy, Seán Mohan, Ruairí Sheehan, Myles Treanor and Micheál McCarville with Alan McCahey, Killian Rudden, Michael Metzger and Paudie Kirk key to Magheracloone’s chances.

The McElvaney Recycling Minor Football Leagues are down to the semi-final stages, with Carrickmacross hosting Scotstown in the first Division One semi on Wednesday. In Division Two, it’s Truagh v Cremartin and St. Tiarnach’s v Clontibret on Tuesday and on the same night, Corduff host Castleblayney in Division Three.

There is a full round of games in the County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League over the weekend. Saturday evening’s fixtures are Currin v Castleblayney, Latton v Monaghan Harps and Magheracloone v Ballybay, while on Sunday, there are local derbies between Doohamlet and Clontibret and Truagh and Monaghan Harps. The top three are in action again on Wednesday, with Ballybay and Scotstown playing a dress-rehearsal of their upcoming championship clash and Clontibret at home to Monaghan Harps.

Aghabog and Oram have a basement battle in the Eurotech Junior Football League on Sunday, while Wednesday’s games are Drumhowan v Killeevan and Toome v Blackhill.

In the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions, finals in the Under-12 Football League and the Under-16 Hurling League are on the schedule along with Under-14 Hurling League games and Under-16 Football Championship quarter-finals.