Ulster Senior Football Championship Final
Monaghan v Donegal, Sunday, 2.00, Clones
Monaghan will attempt to regain the Ulster SFC title when they contest a third consecutive provincial final against Donegal in Clones on Sunday.
Monaghan beat then All-Ireland champions Donegal at this stage in 2013 to end a 25-year wait, but they lost the title last year against the eventual All-Ireland finalists. Wins over Cavan and Fermanagh have Monaghan in another final, while Donegal are here for the fifth year in a row; having come through a tough side of the draw which saw them beat Tyrone, Armagh and Derry.
The Monaghan team named for Sunday shows two changes from the Fermanagh game, with Owen Duffy and Stephen Gollogly in for Kieran Duffy and Owen Lennon, while an experienced subs bench features the likes of Drew Wylie, Lennon, Dick Clerkin and Paul Finlay. Malachy O’Rourke’s side will need big performances from the likes of Conor McManus, Dessie Mone, Kieran and Darren Hughes and Vincent Corey.
Rory Gallagher, who is in his first year in sole charge of Donegal after a spell as right-hand man to Jim McGuinness, has named an unchanged team. Michael Murphy, Neil Gallagher, Patrick McBrearty, Neil McGee, Karl Lacey and Frank McGlynn are key players for Donegal. The recently-returned Leo McLoone is among the substitutes.
Another great battle between these rivals is on the cards. St. Tiarnach’s Park is sold out for Sunday, which starts with the Ulster MFC Final between Cavan and Derry.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey, Ryan Wylie; Colin Walshe, Fintan Kelly, Karl O’Connell; Neil McAdam, Darren Hughes; Owen Duffy, Stephen Gollogly, Shane Carey; Dermot Malone, Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus (Capt.).
Subs: Cian Mohan, Kieran Duffy, Conor Boyle, Drew Wylie, John McCarron, Owen Lennon, Dick Clerkin, Paul Finlay, Ryan McAnespie, Thomas Kerr, Paul Meegan.
Donegal: Paul Durcan; Paddy McGrath, Neil McGee, Éamon McGee; Ryan McHugh, Karl Lacey, Frank McGlynn; Neil Gallagher, Martin McElhinney; Christy Toye, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Martin O’Reilly; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy (Capt.), Colm McFadden.
Subs: Mark McGinley, Anthony Thompson, Éamonn Doherty, Mark McHugh, Hugh McFadden, Ciarán McGinley, David Walsh, Declan Walsh, Gary McFadden, Leo McLoone, Darach O’Connor.
By cshalvey Sun 19th Jul
