Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League Final
Aughnamullen v Doohamlet, Sunday, 2.00, Corduff
The only club game this weekend is the IFL Final between Aughnamullen and Doohamlet at Corduff on Sunday.
Aughnamullen must win to secure a second consecutive promotion, with Carrickmacross hoping they fall short so they can go up by virtue of having finished top of the table. Aughnamullen bounced back from a disappointing championship campaign to finish third in the league before winning away to Emyvale in the semi-finals. Doohamlet are, of course, already assured of a return to senior football ahead, but they are bidding for a first ever double and a first IFL title since 1935 after an impressive semi-final win over Carrick. Aughnamullen drew in Doohamlet in their first meeting this year, but the championship winners, who lost out to Loughinisland in last Sunday’s Ulster IFC semi-final, had a convincing win in the reverse fixture.
Colin Walshe, Barry McGinn, Barry McBennett and Ciarán McManus are key players for Doohamlet, who will be without Paul McArdle due to suspension. Aughnamullen will need big performances from Pete Dooney, Shane Conlon, Edmond McArdle, Colm Flanagan and Seán Sheridan if they are to win this league for the first time since 1991.
Danske Bank Ulster Colleges Edmund Rice Rannafast Cup Final
St. Macartan’s College, Monaghan v Patrician High School, Carrickmacross, Friday, 7.30, Inniskeen
The Ulster Colleges Rannafast Cup Final is an all-Monaghan clash for the first time ever at Páirc Grattan on Friday evening.
St. Macartan’s College, Monaghan go into the final as holders and they have seen off St. Patrick’s, Dungannon and St. Ronan’s, Lurgan in the knock-out stages, but Patrician High School, Carrickmacross will take a great deal of confidence from their semi-final victory over a highly-rated Maghera side. The likes of Robbie McAlister, Paudie Meehan, Jamie Shields, Thomas Croarkin, Michael O’Brien and Aaron Mohan have been in fine form for this Sem team, who won the Brock Shield last April. Andrew Woods, Ciarán McNulty, Liam Óg Murray, Seán Burns, Odhrán Martin and Oisín Wilcox are among the main men for Patrician in a highly-anticipated game.
All-Ireland Ladies Club Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
Donaghmoyne v Foxrock-Cabinteely, Sunday, 1.30, Donaghmoyne
Donaghmoyne ladies bid to qualify for a sixth All-Ireland Club SFC Final when they host Dublin and Leinster champions Foxrock-Cabinteely in Sunday’s semi-final.
Having continued their dominance of the Monaghan championship, Donaghmoyne regained the Ulster title by avenging last year’s final defeat against Donegal side Termon. Foxrock-Cabinteely have some inside knowledge of their opponents given that they are have the current Monaghan county management team at the helm.
Donaghmoyne, who had Cora Courtney and Linda Martin named in the national All-Star team last week, will also be looking for big performances from Sharon Courtney, Cathriona McConnell, Eileen McElroy and Amanda Casey. Foxrock-Cabinteely can call on four-time All-Star Sinéad Goldrick, along with the likes of Fiona Claffey, Amy Connolly, Hannah Noonan, Niamh Collins and Niamh Ryan.
Monaghan duo Conor McManus and Darren Hughes are part of the Ireland squad for Saturday’s International Rules game against Australia at Croke Park. Clontibret sharpshooter McManus, who is one of nine current All-Stars to be selected by Joe Kernan, is picked for the third year in a row, having been prolific in the 2013 win and last year’s defeat, when he was named Man of the Match. Hughes, who has an Ulster Club final to look forward to with Scotstown, was part of the 2011 victory. His brother Kieran is on the standby list in case of injuries, as is Dessie Mone.
By cshalvey Fri 20th Nov
