Four Monaghan champions put their Ulster championship hopes on the line on a busy weekend and there are also issues to be decided in the domestic Senior and Intermediate Football Leagues.
AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Scotstown v Slaughtneil, Sunday, 2.30, Clones
Scotstown are up against reigning Ulster SFC champions and 2015 All-Ireland runners-up Slaughtneil in Clones. Scotstown powered their way to a second Monaghan title out of three and they now have a tilt at the provincial championship in their sights, two years after they were edged out at the death by eventual winners Ballinderry.
Slaughtneil’s defence of their championship titles got off to an unconvincing start with a loss to Lavey and a draw with Magherafelt, but wins over Foreglen, Ballinascreen and Bellaghy got them through to another county final, where they edged out Coleraine. Mickey Moran’s side then sent out a warning shot to their provincial opponents when they crushed Fermanagh’s Derrygonnelly by 4-13 to 1-4 in the preliminary round. Slaughtneil have become used to having to deal with busy schedules in the last year, with several winning back-to-back football and hurling doubles in Derry, but that has reached a new level in recent months, as those dual players are now preparing for a 14th championship game in 12 weeks and they had to play 80-plus minutes last Sunday when they eventually lost the Ulster Club SHC Final to Cushendall by a point after extra-time.
The likes of Darren and Kieran Hughes – both of whom are capable of lining out in almost any position – are hoping to lead Scotstown to a new era of Ulster success, having each claimed two Anglo-Celt Cups with Monaghan, alongside Rory Beggan, who has conceded just one goal in nine championship games in 2015. Conor McCarthy has been in excellent form up front, while Shane Carey and Orin Heaphey, who matched McCarthy’s 1-2 in the county final against Monaghan Harps, are also good options. Dónal Morgan plays a key role sweeping and linking for Scotstown, who have a strong midfield in Francis Caulfield and James Turley.
Slaughtneil, who defeated Clontibret at the Ulster semi-final stage in 2014, have a well organised and balanced team. Christopher and Karl McKaigue, Brendan Rogers, Barry McGuigan and Francis McEldowney lead a sticky defence, while Patsy Bradley is one of the strongest midfielders in the competition and Christopher and Paul Bradley, Cormac O’Doherty and Sé McGuigan are all well capable of contributing on the scoreboard.
Both teams have conceded just 10 points per game to date, with Scotstown more prolific in attack as their 6-68 in five games gives them an average score of 17.2 points, compared to Slaughtneil’s 15.7 (9-83 in seven matches).
AIB Ulster Club Intermediate Football Championship Quarter-Final
Ballyhaise v Doohamlet, Sunday, 12.45, Kingspan Breffni Park
Doohamlet are up against Ballyhaise in the Ulster Club IFC in Cavan.
After winning a third Monaghan IFC title since 2010, which was also the year they reached this final, Doohamlet are determined to make an impact on this competition. Their opponents Ballyhaise ended their 47-year wait for a Cavan championship thanks to wins over Swanlinbar, Butlersbridge, Drumlane and Arva, hitting an impressive combined total of 4-58, which gives them an average of 17.5 points.
Doohamlet have a good blend of youth and experience, with some star power in Colin Walshe at centre-back/midfield and Barry McGinn up front. Ciarán McManus, Martin Hughes and Darren and Niall Connolly are veterans of previous Ulster campaigns, as is the recently-returned Paul McArdle, while Barry McBennett has been in fine form. Ballyhaise forwards Kevin Tierney, who has played for Cavan seniors, and Stephen Smith scored 3-17 between them in the last two games and provide a real threat, with county minor David Brady and fellow youngster Martin Conaty other talented players.
AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Coa v Rockcorry, Sunday, 2.30, Enniskillen
Rockcorry enter their first Ulster campaign against Coa in the JFC at Brewster Park.
Having suffered consecutive relegations, Rock regrouped to win a first JFC since 1982 and their recent experience at higher levels gives them reason to be confident. Coa saw off Brookeborough and Belnaleck to win the reintroduced Fermanagh JFC and they already have an Ulster win under their belts at the expense of Tullysaran from Armagh. Rock have a six-point average winning margin (17.2 points to 11.2), while Coa’s is one point per game less (11.33 to 8.33)
Coa’s main man is midfielder and Fermanagh captain Eoin Donnelly, with Ryan Hanna, Gary Lynch, Darren and Lee McQuade and Cathal Beacom other key players for the Dwyers. Rock had impressive performances all over the field in their Monaghan JFC Final Replay win over Blackhill, with Mark and Stephen McGuirk, Mark and Keith Daly, Johnny Reilly, Mark Thornton and Fergal McGeough stepping up their performances from the drawn game.
Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League Semi-Final
Emyvale v Aughnamullen, Sunday, 2.00, Emyvale
The first IFL semi-final is down for decision on Sunday, with Emyvale at home to Aughnamullen.
Both league games between these teams were close contests, with Emyvale winning the first away from home and Aughnamullen reversing that result last month. Aughnamullen looked in pole position at that stage to finish second, only to lose their last two games, while Emyvale won four on the trot to claim home advantage for this fixture. Aughnamullen had already exceeded all expectations for their year, coming straight up from junior to be in the top four of the league from early on, even though they failed to win a game in the championship. Emyvale made a winning start to the IFC and went on to take eventual winners Doohamlet to a replay, but they exited at the quarter-final stage.
Ryan McAnespie, Daniel McMahon, John Flannery, Garreth McQuaid and Greg Devlin should be to the fore for Emyvale, with Pete Dooney, Shane Conlon, Edmond McArdle, Colm Flanagan and Seán Sheridan central to Aughnamullen’s chances.
Ulster Club Ladies Senior Football Championship Final
Donaghmoyne v Termon, Saturday, 2.00, Killyclogher
Donaghmoyne ladies will attempt to regain the Ulster Club title when they take on All-Ireland champions Termon on Saturday.
Donegal side Termon dethroned Donaghmoyne at this stage last year and their county side repeated the trick in July’s Ulster final, so the 13-in-a-row Monaghan champions won’t lack motivation for this one. Both teams survived tough tests in the Ulster semi-finals to set up this rematch, with Donaghmoyne seeing off Cavan side Lurgan and Termon battling past Tyrone champions Errigal Ciarán.
Donaghmoyne will be looking for big performances from the likes of Sharon and Cora Courtney, Cathriona McConnell, Eileen McElroy and Amanda Casey, while Termon will be depending on star forward Geraldine McLaughlin, as well as her sister Nicole, Maureen O’Donnell, Róisín Friel and Olive McCafferty.
There are two games in the County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League on Sunday. Monaghan Harps host Magheracloone – where the hosts will be looking to secure home advantage for the semi-finals and the visitors will be bidding to edge out Clontibret for fourth place – while Latton face Castleblayney.
Elsewhere, Monaghan’s U-17 development squad contest the Louth GAA Damien Reid Cup Final against Meath in Darver on Saturday at 1pm, while both St. Macartan’s College, Monaghan and Patrician High School, Carrickmacross are to contest Ulster Colleges Rannafast Cup semi-finals in the next week.
By cshalvey Fri 30th Oct
