Monaghan’s Ulster SFC semi-final against Fermanagh takes over the schedule on Sunday, but there is still a fairly busy programme of club games this week, including three reserve finals.
Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship O’Duffy Cup Final
Magheracloone v Scotstown, Saturday, 7.00, Castleblayney
Scotstown will attempt to retain the O’Duffy Cup when they face Magheracloone in Saturday’s final.
After taking just a point from their first two games, Scotstown have now won their last seven games, including five in the RFL Division 1A (one against Magheracloone with eight points to spare) to go top. The holders had a hard-earned win over neighbours Truagh in the quarter-finals, before cruising past Aughnamullen last time out. Magheracloone have picked up just four points in the league, but hard-earned wins over Latton and Monaghan Harps saw them progress in the championship.
Seán Mohan, Paul Sherlock, Ruairí Sheehan, Francis Maguire and Dermot McCrudden could lead the way for Scotstown, while Alan Kieran, Noel Tuite, Michael Metzger and Killian Rudden should be to the fore for Magheracloone.
Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship McKeown Cup Final
Clones v Killeevan, Friday, 8.00, Smithborough
Neighbours Clones and Killeevan go head-to-head in the McKeown Cup Final on Friday night.
These clubs’ senior teams have struggled this year, with Clones bottom of the IFL and Killeevan yet to pick up a point in the JFL, but their reserves have been faring better. Killeevan are currently top of the RFL Division Three, a point ahead of Clones, who they defeated by two points in April (their opponents’ only defeat to date). Clones got a bye to the semi-finals, where they edged out Monaghan Harps, while Killeevan had a similarly narrow win in their quarter-final derby against Aghabog, before getting a walkover from Toome at the semi-final stage.
Clones could be able to call on the likes of Sarto Quigley, Emmet McEntee, Cian O’Connor, Ethan Audley and Darragh Graham, while Killeevan will be relying on county minors Killian Mooney and Ciarán Burns, along with experienced players like Ian Larmer and Vincent Martin.
Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League Final
Castleblayney v Truagh, Tuesday, 8.00, Monaghan
Castleblayney and Truagh contest the Development Hurling League Final at Gavan Duffy Park on Tuesday evening, five days after it was postponed due to the death of Blayney clubman Vincent Forde.
Blayney lost two of their first three games, but finished with two wins, including one over Truagh, to finish third, before beating Carrickmacross in their semi-final. Truagh needed a final-round win over Clontibret to edge the O’Neills out for fourth place, but they then turned over hot favourites Dungannon Eoghan Ruadh to qualify for this final.
Blayney should be able to call on experienced players like Brian McGuigan, Paul Murphy, Jimmy Lacey and Nathan Adair, while Conor McGinnity, Cathal McAnespie, Damian McCarron, Noel Flood and Ryan McKenna could play key roles for Truagh.
The winners of Monday’s Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division 1A game between Clontibret and Truagh will join Scotstown at the top. Truagh and Scotstown are both in action on Wednesday, away to Magheracloone and Cremartin respectively. Tyholland take on the top two in Division 1B this week, as they host Castleblayney on Saturday and Monaghan Harps on Wednesday. Saturday’s other fixture is Aughnamullen v Emyvale. Division 2A table-toppers Doohamlet are away to their nearest challengers Donaghmoyne on Saturday, with third-placed Seán McDermotts at home to Drumhowan, while Killanny face Inniskeen in Division 2B. Emyvale meet Clones in Division Three on Wednesday.
The Irish Pride Féile na nGael takes centre stage this weekend, with Under-14 hurlers from around the country coming to Ulster, including Castleblayney and Monaghan Harps, with Cloghan to host semi-finals and finals on Sunday. The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-16 Hurling League resumes with a full round on Monday evening, when there is also a full round in the Under-12 Hurling League. In football, there is some Under-12 action on Saturday, while Tyholland and Monaghan Harps contest the Under-14 Football Championship Division Four Final on Tuesday.
By cshalvey Fri 19th Jun
