Three county teams are in action over the weekend, while the start of the domestic leagues will also spark plenty of local interest.
Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A
Fermanagh v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Enniskillen
Monaghan’s hurlers have an opportunity to qualify for the NHL Division 3A Final when they take on Fermanagh at Brewster Park on Sunday.
Monaghan are still unbeaten under new manager Trevor Hilliard heading into this fifth and final round. Their campaign has seen wins over Roscommon and Louth book-ended by come-from-behind draws against Tyrone and Fingal. Fermanagh have struggled, losing all four games to date at the hands of Fingal, Louth, Tyrone and Roscommon; finishing the last two with just 13 men due to red cards.
Ronan Meegan (0-28) and Stephen Lambe (2-11) have been in prolific form and will be central to Monaghan’s chances again on Sunday, along with the likes of Peter and Mark Treanor, Fergal Rafter and Éanna Mac Suibhne (if fit). JP and Declan McGarry, John Duffy and Daniel Teague will be key to Fermanagh’s chances, particularly as the 2014 Lory Meagher Cup runners-up have been without players like Ryan Bogue and Seán Corrigan.
A win for Monaghan would secure a top-two finish along with either Tyrone or Roscommon, who clash in Omagh, where the visitors need to win while a draw would be enough for the hosts.
Ulster Minor Football League Group A
Down v Monaghan, Saturday, 12.00, Downpatrick
Monaghan begin their Ulster MFL campaign with an away game against Down on Saturday.
It’s a first competitive game under the management of Garrett Coyle, Ciarán McBride, James Conlon and Martin Corey for Monaghan, who will be introducing some of their 2014 Buncrana Cup winners to the county minor scene. Monaghan will be without their Our Lady’s, Castleblayney contingent, but they may be able to call on their Patrician, Carrickmacross players like David and Shane Garland and Conor Duffy, as well as the likes of Niall Keenan, Francis Hughes and Pádraig Finnan.
Ulster Minor Hurling League Division Two
Cavan v Monaghan, Saturday, 12.00, Kingspan Breffni Park
Monaghan will attempt to return to winning ways in the Ulster MHL when they travel to Cavan on Saturday.
Monaghan have experienced contrasting fortunes in their two games to date – beating Louth before falling to a heavy defeat against Tyrone – while defending champions Cavan have yet to play their first game of the competition.
Alan Ryan and Brendan Murphy will be looking to the likes of Ronan Curran, Cathal Power, Conor Flynn, Reece Treanor, Mark Murphy and Alan Nugent to lead Monaghan’s challenge.
All-Ireland Colleges Football B Play-Off
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblayney v Coláiste na Carraige, Saturday, 1.00, Dromore
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblayney will seek to follow up their MacLarnon Cup victory in Saturday’s All-Ireland play-off against Markey Cup winners Coláiste na Carraige at Dromore, Co Tyrone.
Wins over St. Ciarán’s, Ballygawley and St. Louis, Ballymena put Our Lady’s through to an all-Monaghan MacLarnon Cup Final, where they impressively put Patrician High School, Carrickmacross to the sword on Tuesday. Coláiste na Carraige have already seen off one Monaghan school in their Markey Cup semi-final against Largy College, Clones and they went on to win the all-Donegal decider against St. Columba’s, Glenties on Wednesday.
Our Lady’s have two current Ulster Colleges All-Stars in centre-half back Barry Kerr and chief marksman Barry McGinn, who captained the Monaghan minors last year. Micheál Bannigan, Aaron Courtney, Conor Marray, Jamie Walshe, Damien Ward and James Wilson are other key players for the Blayney school. Conor Doherty, who hit 2-8 against Largy, is the main threat from Coláiste na Carraige, with Pauric Cunningham, Paddy Byrne and Lanty Molloy other central figures.
It’s also a busy weekend of club games, headlined by the start of the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Football Leagues.
The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League begins on Saturday when Latton and Magheracloone renew their keen rivalry; while on Sunday, holders Scotstown and county champions Clontibret have tricky games away to Truagh and Ballybay respectively, with newly-promoted Donaghmoyne at home to Monaghan Harps.
2014 junior title winners Drumhowan and Aughnamullen return to the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League with games against Clones and Tyholland respectively, while the teams relegated from senior – Doohamlet and Currin – travel to opposite ends of the county to play Emyvale and Carrickmacross. The other IFL game is between Cremartin and Corduff, who have built up a keen rivalry in the last few years.
Rockcorry will attempt to start their turnaround from two consecutive relegations in their Eurotech Junior Football League opener against Scotstown on Saturday, while Sunday’s sole fixture is a local derby between Éire Óg and Seán McDermotts.
The schedule in the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues is restricted to a Division 2B game between Truagh and Inniskeen on Sunday and a Division Three derby between Monaghan Harps and Emyvale on Saturday.
The Minor Football League Division One continues on Tuesday evening with local derbies between Carrickmacross and Magheracloone and Monaghan Harps and Truagh, with defending champions Donaghmoyne beginning their campaign against Clontibret.
Meanwhile, the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-12 Football Spring Leagues begin on Saturday, followed by the Under-14 Hurling League on Monday evening.
By cshalvey Fri 20th Mar
