The IFC and JFC titles are up for grabs in another big weekend of championship action.
McElvaney Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Final
Carrickmacross and Doohamlet, Sunday, 3.00, Castleblayney
Carrickmacross and Doohamlet contest Sunday’s IFC Final after both taking the direct route to this stage.
These teams were both in senior when they last clashed in championship action, as they met in the 2013 SFC, when Doohamlet won by six points in a replay despite having two men sent off in the first half. Carrick went on to get relegated later that year, while Doohamlet survived, before dropping back to intermediate 12 months later. Carrick made no impact last year, but they have impressed in 2015, boosted by the progress of several young players. Having started the IFC with a bang by crushing Drumhowan, Carrick went on to see off Corduff and after getting the first serious test of their credentials in the semi-final against Tyholland, they passed it by the narrowest of margins.
Doohamlet have overcome some tough tests on their way to the final. They made a strong finish to their first-round win over Tyholland and they needed a replay to battle past Emyvale, before gaining bragging rights over neighbours Cremartin at the semi-final stage.
These teams have also been in contention in the IFL throughout the year and are both well placed in the top four. Doohamlet took three points off their opponents from their league meetings, restricting them to just 1-3 on home soil back in April and then claiming a draw from the away fixture in July.
Carrick’s main strength is in attack, although Andrew O’Rourke and co. kept clean sheets in their first two games until conceding two goals in the closing stages of the semi-final against Tyholland. The back-line is anchored by three McEnaneys – Gary, team captain Ryan and Neil – along with Conor Duffy, James McGeown and Declan Finnegan. Peter O’Hanlon, Niall Loughman and James Conlon should line out around midfield for Carrick, who can call on the hugely experienced Stephen Gollogly as the focal point of their forward line. Aaron Jones and Cillian Cromwell are also effective up front for Carrick, with the likes of Aaron Lynch and Kevin O’Hanlon pushing for selection alongside Eoin Sherry and Conor McEnaney.
All of Doohamlet’s back seven from their last IFC success are still involved, with James Casey in goals and the full-back line of Gabie Casey, Martin Hughes and Jason McElroy still intact. The 2012 half-back unit of Kevin McArdle, Colin Walshe and Darren Connolly are all still key players, with Damien Ward nailing down a place in the defence. Ciarán McManus, Jamie Walshe and Johnny Duffy are sure to feature around midfield for Doohamlet, while the forward line is led by 2014 Monaghan minor captain Barry McGinn. Barry McBennett and Niall and Darren Connolly have also been regular scorers in this championship, with Conor Marray, Gavin King and the recently-returned Paul McArdle other options.
Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Final Replay
Blackhill v Rockcorry, Saturday, 4.00, Clontibret
Blackhill and Rockcorry will be hoping to end long waits for a championship title when they contest Saturnday’s Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Final Replay in Clontibret.
A keenly-contested game finished all-square on the last Sunday in September, meaning the sides have to return to O’Neill Park to decide which of them will end their quest for the Packie Boylan Cup. Blackhill, who are at this stage for the third consecutive year, were in a winning position last time out, but were denied by late points from Mark McGuirk and Noel Carroll, which earned relieved Rockcorry a second chance.
These teams took the direct route to this final. Blackhill edged out Seán McDermotts in Round 1A, before claiming comfortable wins against Killeevan and Scotstown to make it through to another decider. Rock also had a narrow win in their opener against a strong challenge from Scotstown and they went on to have convincing victories over Aghabog and Toome.
Both clubs have also been towards the top of the league table all year, booking semi-final places with a few rounds to spare. Blackhill took three points off Rock via a draw on home soil and a win in the return fixture.
Aaron Kenny (who went off injured in the drawn game) has established himself in the Blackhill defence, where Ryan and Dónal Courtney continue to play key roles, along with Shane Courtney, Gerard McArdle and Hugh Byrne. Dermot Daly, Anthony Courtney and Éamon Byrne will line out around midfield, with Michael Geehan, Darren and Colin Woods and Jason Finnegan expected to get the scores. James Daly’s pace is another asset for Blackhill, whose manager David Lennon may again call the likes of Philip Donnelly and Andrew Burns in off the bench.
Captain Niall McKeown anchors the Rock defence alongside Conor McGeough and Colin Quinn, with the half-back line of Stephen McGuirk, Keith Daly and Johnny Reilly adept at both defending and attacking. Mark Daly and Mark Thornton make up a strong midfield pairing – both capable of getting on the scoresheet – with Paul McKeown, Martin Carroll and the strong-running Noel Carroll set to be the half-forwards. Lorcan Smyth, Fergal McGeough and Mark McGuirk make up a dangerous full-forward line.
Another close finish is in prospect.
Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division 1A Final Replay
Scotstown v Truagh, Friday, 8.00, Emyvale
North-Monaghan rivals Scotstown and Truagh contest the RFL Division 1A Final Replay on Friday night in Emyvale after playing out a draw at the same venue a fortnight ago.
The teams finished joint-top of the league after both took 15 points, with Scotstown advancing straight through to the final due to their superior head-to-head record, as they had two comprehensive wins over Truagh, who won the semi-final against Latton back in July. Scotstown also edged out their neighbours in the O’Duffy Cup on their way to the championship final, where they lost to Magheracloone.
Emmet Caulfield, Fergal McPhillips, Dermot McCrudden, Ross McKenna, Orin Heaphey and Francis Maguire should play key roles for Scotstown, with Shane Treanor, Eoghan Kelly, Niall Rooney and Daniel Finnegan potentially central to Truagh’s chances.
By cshalvey Fri 9th Oct
