Three Monaghan clubs aim for Ulster final places on Sunday.
AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
Scotstown v Trillick, Sunday, 2.30, Enniskillen
Scotstown will attempt to become the first Monaghan team to qualify for the Ulster Club SFC Final since 1991 when they take on Tyrone champions Trillick at Brewster Park on Sunday.
After wins over Inniskeen, Truagh, Monaghan Harps (twice) and Castleblayney secured their second county title in three years, Scotstown dethroned Ulster champions Slaughtneil a fortnight ago. Trillick have made an incredible rise this year, having failed to win the Tyrone IFC in 2014. After clinching promotion, the St. Macartan’s side went all the way in the SFC this year – defeating Dungannon, Greencastle, Coalisland and Killyclogher – and they dumped Donegal champions Naomh Cónaill out of the Ulster race.
Scotstown have scored two points per game more than their opponents, with their 8-83 in six games working out at 17.8 points to Trillick’s 6-61 (15.8) and they have conceded just slightly more (10.8 per game, compared to 10.4).
They are spurred on by Darren and Kieran Hughes, who have each helped lead Monaghan to two Anglo-Celt Cups, alongside Rory Beggan, who has conceded just one goal in ten championship games in 2015. Conor McCarthy and Orin Heaphey have been in excellent form up front, with Dónal Morgan, Francis Caulfield and James Turley other experienced campaigners. Mattie and Richard Donnelly will be joined by Rory and Lee Brennan, Niall Gormley, Dáire Gallagher and Proinsias O’Kane in playing key roles for Trillick.
AIB Ulster Club Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Final
Doohamlet v Loughinisland, Sunday, 2.30, Armagh
The Athletic Grounds hosts a double-header of Ulster semi-finals between clubs from Monaghan and Down. Including Doohamlet’s IFC clash with Loughinisland.
Wins over Tyholland, Emyvale (after a replay), Cremartin and Carrickmacross earned Doohamlet a third Monaghan IFC title since 2010 and they now go in search of a second Ulster final appearance. Doohamlet go into this one on a high, having followed up their provincial quarter-final win over Ballyhaise with a fine win away to Carrick in last Sunday’s Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League semi-final.
Their opponents this weekend have seven wins to their name in 2015 championship, hitting almost twice as much as they have conceded (13-93 to 5-52). Loughinisland saw off St. John Bosco, Ballymartin (twice), Tullylish and An Ríocht to win the Down IFC and they have already seen off Greenlough from Derry and Edendork of Tyrone in the Ulster championship.
Loughinisland can call on long-time county man Dan Gordon, along with the likes of Ryan Mason, Conor Megoran, John McCarthy and Aaron McClements. Doohamlet have a good blend of youth and experience, led by the likes of Colin Walshe, Barry McGinn, Ciarán McManus and Barry McBennett.
AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship Semi-Final
Rockcorry v Glasdrumman, Sunday, 12.45, Armagh
Also in Armagh, Rockcorry have their Ulster JFC semi-final against Glasdrumman.
Despite losing the Eurotech Junior Football League Final last Sunday, Rock have had an impressive year, with wins over Scotstown, Aghabog and Toome getting them to the championship decider, where they beat Blackhill after a replay. They entered the provincial scene with a win over Coa from Fermanagh.
Glasdrumman have gone on a long unbeaten run this year. They beat Dundrum (twice), got a walkover from Magheralin and also got the better of Aughlisnafin and Ardglass to win the Down junior title, before knocking out Michael Davitts last time out. Connaire Harrison, who has played for Down seniors, is the focal point of Glasdrumman’s attack, with Shane Harrison, Cormac Murphy, Daniel and Art McCartan and Raymond Magorrian other key players.
Rock will provide them with a tougher test, however. Martin Carroll is set to miss out through suspension, but Mark Daly should return after missing the league decider to play a central role along with Niall McKeown, Mark and Stephen McGuirk, Mark Thornton, Noel Carroll and the in-form Fergal McGeough. Rock have a slightly higher scoring average (17 points to 16.6), although Glasdrumman have been meaner in defence, conceding just 9.4 points per game, two less than Rock’s average.
By cshalvey Sat 14th Nov
