Monaghan’s senior footballers and hurlers have key National League fixtures on Sunday.
Allianz National Football League Division One
Cork v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Páirc Uí Rinn
Monaghan make the long journey to Cork for a crucial NFL Division One game on Sunday.
Monaghan started their league campaign with wins over Roscommon and Down, before falling to narrow defeats against Dublin and Mayo. Cork, meanwhile, made a fine start by beating Mayo, but they have since lost out to Donegal, Roscommon and Dublin. Cork had a narrow win in an entertaining clash between these teams in Castleblayney last year and they also edged Monaghan out in their last Leeside meeting in 2011.
Malachy O’Rourke has named an unchanged Monaghan team, with Kieran Hughes still on the injured list, while the Cork line-out is also the same as the one that took to the field last weekend.
The in-form Conor McManus, Darren Hughes, Colin Walshe and Drew and Ryan Wylie give Malachy O’Rourke’s side an experienced spine, even in the absence of some veteran players. Colm O’Neill, goal-poacher Peter Kelleher, Paul Kerrigan, Eoin Cadogan and Ian Maguire are key players for Cork.
Cork: Micheál Aodh Martin; Colm O’Driscoll, Eoin Cadogan, Kevin Crowley; Tom Clancy, Jamie O Sullivan, Brian O’Driscoll; Kevin O’Driscoll, Ian Maguire; Seán Kiely, Paul Kerrigan, Mark Collins; Colm O’Neill, Peter Kelleher, Luke Connolly.
Subs: Ryan Price, Michael Shields, Kevin Fulignati, Mark Collins, Fintan Goold, Andrew O’Sullivan, Killian O’Hanlon, Ruairí Deane, Daniel Goulding, Dan McEoin, Brian Hurley.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Colin Walshe, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Kieran Duffy, Fintan Kelly, Karl O’Connell; Neil McAdam, Darren Hughes; Shane Carey, Dermot Malone, Thomas Kerr; Owen Duffy, Daniel McKenna, Conor McManus (Capt.).
Subs: Mark Keogh, Conor Boyle, Paudie McKenna, Dessie Mone, Mark Thornton, Gavin Doogan, Pádraic Keenan, Ryan McAnespie, Conor McCarthy, Barry McGinn, Fergal McGeough.
Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A
Fingal v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Kilbarrack
Monaghan’s hurlers also need to win on Sunday against Fingal to maintain their qualification hopes in the NHL Division 3A – please note change of venue from Swords to the Naomh Barróg grounds.
After losing in competitive battles with Tyrone and Roscommon, Monaghan got their first win of the league at the expense of Louth last Sunday, while Fingal beat Warwickshire and Tyrone, before being edged out in a top-of-the-table game against Roscommon.
Trevor Hilliard’s side will need Mark and Peter Treanor, Stephen Lambe, Fergal Rafter and Niall Garland to lead the way if they are to stay in contention, while John Matthew and Paddy Sheridan and Kevin and Cillian O’Flynn are among the main men for Fingal.
There are games in all divisions of the Reserve Football League on Sunday.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions begin with games in Divisions One and Two of the Under-14 Football League on Saturday.
By cshalvey Sat 12th Mar
