The Allianz National Football League semi-final takes centre stage on Sunday, while there is also a busy programme of club games in the next week.
Allianz National Football League Division One Semi-Final
Dublin v Monaghan, Sunday, 4.00, Croke Park
Monaghan will attempt to qualify for the NFL Final for the first time since 1986 when they contest the second game of Sunday’s semi-final double-header at Croke Park against holders Dublin.
This clash comes just a week after the Dubs ran out convincing winners in Clones to overtake Monaghan into second place in the final standings. Monaghan followed an opening-round win over Tyrone with defeats at the hands Cork and Mayo that had many tipping them for relegation, but three consecutive wins over Donegal, Derry and Kerry were enough to secure a semi-final place with a game to spare before last Sunday’s loss. Dublin lost to Cork and Kerry either side of a win over Donegal, before being held to a draw by Tyrone, but they now have a run of three victories to their name. The Leinster champions put Mayo to the sword in Castlebar and finished strongly to win a dour battle with Derry, before becoming the first away team to beat Monaghan in a National League game at St. Tiarnach’s Park since they last won there back in 2011.
The 2013 Sam Maguire Cup winners have the edge over Monaghan in recent times, as they also put Malachy O’Rourke’s side to the sword in last August’s All-Ireland quarter-final. Jim Gavin’s side are aiming for a third consecutive Division One title, while Monaghan are also chasing a third league success in as many years after claiming Division Three and Two honours in 2013 and 2014.
O’Rourke has named an unchanged Monaghan panel for Sunday, while Dublin’s team shows three changes, with Cian O’Sullivan, Philly McMahon and Ciarán Kilkenny in for Michael Darragh MacAuley, Eoin Culligan and Kevin McManamon.
Monaghan will need big performances from the likes of Conor McManus, Darren and Kieran Hughes, Dessie Mone and Drew and Ryan Wylie. The vastly experienced Dublin team is led by players such as Stephen Cluxton, Rory O’Carroll, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Flynn, Diarmuid Connolly and Bernard Brogan, while Dean Rock has been leading the scoring stakes this year, including six points last week. Monaghan will need a major improvement in their performance to at least close the gap.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Fintan Kelly, Vincent Corey, Karl O’Connell; Neil McAdam, Darren Hughes; Dessie Mone, Paul Finlay, Owen Duffy; Dermot Malone, Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus (Capt.).
Subs: Enda Duffy, John McCarron, Paddy McGuigan, Ryan McAnespie, Paudie McKenna, Dick Clerkin, Gavin Doogan, Thomas Kerr, Shane Carey, Stephen Gollogly, Daniel McKenna.
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton (Capt.); Jonny Cooper, Rory O’Carroll, Philip McMahon; James McCarthy, John Small, Jack McCaffrey; Denis Bastick, Cian O’Sullivan; Paul Flynn, Diarmuid Connolly, Brian Fenton; Ciarán Kilkenny, Dean Rock, Bernard Brogan.
There is a full round of games in the County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League on Wednesday evening. There are lengthy journeys for Donaghmoyne to play holders Scotstown, Magheracloone to face Monaghan Harps and Truagh to take on Inniskeen in the Grattans’ return to the top flight, as well as derby games between Latton and Ballybay and Clontibret and Castleblayney.
Aughnamullen and Drumhowan, who made winning returns to the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League last month, are up against Currin and Cremartin respectively on Wednesday evening. Elsewhere, Doohamlet meet Clones and there are derby matches between Tyholland and Emyvale and Corduff and Carrickmacross.
Round two of the Eurotech Junior Football League goes ahead over the weekend, starting with the clash of neighbours Scotstown and Éire Óg on Friday evening. Seán McDermotts and Oram will both bid to build on winning starts when they meet in Threemilehouse on Saturday, while two other teams who began with victories cross swords when Blackhill host Rockcorry. Meanwhile, Aghabog and Killeevan both travel to south Monaghan to take on Killanny and Toome respectively.
The Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling League starts on Thursday evening with local derbies between Inniskeen and Carrickmacross and Clontibret and Truagh. The game between Castleblayney and new entrants Mullahoran from Cavan has been postponed. The Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling League continues on Saturday evening, when it’s Monaghan Harps v Truagh and Inniskeen v Castleblayney.
There is a rescheduled Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division 2A game between Drumhowan and Rockcorry on Thursday evening, while Corduff travel to Truagh in Division 2B on Saturday.
Carrickmacross and Scotstown will attempt to get off the mark in the Minor Football League Division One when they clash on Saturday. Donaghmoyne and St. Patrick’s will be hoping to maintain their 100% records when they travel to Magheracloone and Scotstown respectively on Tuesday evening, while Seán McDermotts face Clontibret and Carrickmacross host Monaghan Harps. There is a Division Two derby between Aughnamullen and Corduff on Sunday morning, with Tuesday’s fixtures being Clones v Corduff, Emyvale v Inniskeen, Na Mullaí Sarsfields v Cremartin and Toome v Aughnamullen. In Division Three on Tuesday, it’s Castleblayney v Doohamlet, Latton v Tyholland, Patrick Emmets v Emerald Sarsfields and Rockcorry v Killanny.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-16 Football Leagues begin on Thursday evening, with the U-14 Football Leagues and Championships continuing on Saturday and the u-16 Hurling League getting underway on Monday.
By cshalvey Sat 11th Apr
