The Senior and Intermediate Football Championships take centre stage again this weekend.
Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Round 2A
Ballybay v Clontibret, Saturday, 3.00, Castleblayney
Monaghan Harps v Scotstown, Sunday, 6.15, Truagh
There are SFC semi-final places up for grabs in Round 2A, starting when Ballybay and Clontibret meet in the first of Saturday’s games in Castleblayney.
Ballybay started the championship with a hard-earned win over Latton, continuing their recent return to form, while Clontibret battled past Magheracloone. Ballybay beat Clontibret in the 2012 county final, but the O’Neills have contested another two deciders since; reclaiming the title last October. Clontibret are currently joint-third in the SFL, four points ahead of Ballybay, while it’s honours even in these teams’ meetings this year, both having been won by the home team.
Clontibret look set to be without their main forward Conor McManus, who was named Ulster Footballer of the Year on Thursday night, due to an injury he suffered against Magheracloone. Their chances now rest on his fellow county men Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey and Conor Boyle, along with the likes of Colum Greenan and Ryan McGuigan. Ballybay have five Monaghan seniors – Drew and Ryan Wylie, Paul Finlay, Christopher McGuinness and Thomas Kerr – fit and ready for what should be a keen contest.
The top two in the league clash in Truagh on Sunday evening when Monaghan Harps face Scotstown.
2013 champions Scotstown, who lost their title to Clontibret in last year’s final, already have two wins to their name in this championship at the expense of Inniskeen and Truagh, while Monaghan Harps were too strong for Castleblayney. Scotstown have also led the way in the SFL this year, with the Harps four points behind in second place, while the teams won once each in their two clashes.
Shane Carey and Conor McCarthy have hit 1-19 between them so far in the SFC for Scotstown, who will also be looking for big performances from Darren and Kieran Hughes and Dónal Morgan, while Neil McAdam, Conor Galligan, Dónal Hahessy, Fearghal McMahon and Kevin Loughran are among the main men for the Harps.
Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Round 2B
Castleblayney v Truagh, Saturday, 8.00, Emyvale
Latton v Magheracloone, Saturday, 8.00, Inniskeen
Four teams are in the last-chance saloon in the SFC on Saturday evening. Emyvale is the venue for the game between Castleblayney and Truagh.
Blayney lost to Monaghan Harps in their championship opener, but they bounced back against Donaghmoyne last Sunday, while Truagh were beaten by neighbours Scotstown, having also seen off Donaghmoyne first time out. Blayney have so far failed to replicate the form that saw them reach league and championship semi-finals last year, while 2014 All-Ireland IFC winners Truagh have built on a promising first campaign back in senior, as they sit in a share of third place in the SFL, with their wins including a convincing one away to the Faughs.
Brendan McElroy and Ciarán Hanratty hit form last weekend with a combined total of 2-11, with Dermot and Fergal Malone, Martin McElroy and Barry Hanratty other key players for Blayney. Daniel and Christopher McKenna, John McCarron and Rory Treanor are vital for Truagh, who will again be without the injured Paudie McKenna but will hope to have Adam Treanor fit to start this time.
Meanwhile, Latton and Magheracloone go head-to-head in Emyvale.
Latton were edged out in their SFC opener by local rivals Ballybay, while Magheracloone recovered from losing to Clontibret when they knocked Inniskeen out last Sunday. The teams both have 14 points in the league and there is nothing to separate them from their head-to-heads either, as both were won by the home team.
Latton will need Owen and Kieran Duffy, Owen Lennon, Owen Coyle and Aidan Farmer on top form, with James Ward, Gavin Doogan, Alan McCahey, Alan Kieran and Paudie McMahon crucial for Magheracloone, who are set to be without Tommy Freeman due to his red card against Inniskeen.
McElvaney Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Round 2B Replay
Currin v Tyholland, Friday, 8.00, Emyvale
Currin and Tyholland put their IFC hopes on the line again when they return to Emyvale a week after they played out an exciting draw.
Not even extra-time could separate these teams last Friday and a close game is once again on the cards. Currin were relegated from senior last year and now find themselves just three points above ninth-placed Tyholland in the IFL, so both teams will be determined to go on a run in the championship. Currin lost to Corduff after a preliminary-round win over Cremartin, while Tyholland were pipped by Doohamlet before finishing on the right side of a tight finish against Drumhowan.
The IFC’s top scorer Jack McCarron is a talisman for Currin, who will also need Dick Clerkin, Stephen Smyth and Ciarán and Enda McCaffrey on their game. McCarron’s nearest rival Dermot Coyle, who kept his team in it in extra-time last time out, is a vital player for Tyholland, along with Gary McQuaid, Shane Treanor, Ronan McNally, Brian McArdle and Karl O’Connell (if the Ulster All-Star is able to return from a hamstring injury).
McElvaney Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Round 2A Replay
Doohamlet v Emyvale, Sunday, 1.30, Scotstown
There is another IFC Replay on Sunday in Scotstown, when Doohamlet and Emyvale battle it out for a semi-final place.
The teams finished level in a tough encounter last Saturday, when both sides missed chances to edge it. Emyvale had overcome a slow start to dismiss Clones in the first round, while Doohamlet got the better of Tyholland in a dramatic finish. Emyvale are top of the IFL, three points ahead of their opponents and they did the double over Doohamlet in the league. Doohamlet are attempting to make a swift return to senior football, while Emyvale are looking to move up again two years after their Monaghan and Ulster JFC success.
Doohamlet are very dependent on Colin Walshe at the back and Barry McGinn up front; they could do with more from the likes of Jamie Walshe, Barry McBennett and Conor Marray. Ryan McAnespie, Daniel McMahon, John Flannery, James Bellew, Garreth McQuaid and Mervyn Brown should be to the fore for Emyvale.
Maguire Transport Minor Football Championship Division Two Final
Corduff v Emyvale, Sunday, 12.00, Scotstown
Corduff will attempt to complete a minor Division Two double when they take on Emyvale in the championship final on Sunday.
Corduff have already won the league title and with comfortable wins over Na Mullaí Sarsfields and Clones behind them, they are now within touching distance of more silverware. Emyvale struggled in the league, but hard-earned victories against Cremartin and Toome have them in this final, where they could feature some of their U-16 Division Two winning team.
Fergal Hanratty, Gavin McEnaney and Killian Hand should be prominent for Corduff, with James O’Neill, Robbie and Michael McAlister and Oisín Campbell expected to be among the main figures for Emyvale.
There are two games in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League on Sunday, when Carrickmacross travel to Drumhowan and Cremartin host Clones in a repeat of their recent championship game that the Shamrocks won after extra-time.
The Eurotech Junior Football League continues with a full round over the weekend, starting with Saturday’s game between strugglers Killeevan and Éire Óg. Leaders Rockcorry have a local derby against Aghabog on Sunday, while the teams sharing second place (Blackhill and Killanny) are away to Oram and Seán McDermotts respectively
Another busy week in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions features a string of Under-14 Football League semi-finals, as well as a number of finals. There are two hurling titles up for grabs on Monday evening in the Under-12 League Final (in Cremartin) and the Under-14 League Final Replay (in Inniskeen), while the Under-16 Hurling Championship Final is down for decision in Donaghmoyne on Thursday evening. There is also an Under-16 Football League Division Four Final in Tyholland on Wednesday.
By cshalvey Fri 4th Sep
