The National Football League again takes centre stage in another busy weekend.
Allianz National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Donegal, Sunday, 2.00, Castleblayney
Monaghan need to take a result from Sunday’s Allianz NFL showdown with Donegal in Castleblayney in their battle to maintain Division One status.
Monaghan started their campaign with wins over Roscommon and Down, but narrow defeats against Dublin and Mayo, followed by disappointing losses to Cork and Kerry, have seen them drift down the table. Donegal have had somewhat similar fortunes: beating Down, Cork and Mayo, only to lose out to Kerry, Roscommon and Dublin.
Donegal’s positive score difference means they are all but safe from relegation and a positive result would see them through to the semi-finals for the second year in a row, while Monaghan, in all likelihood, need to win and for other results to go their way if they are to escape.
These teams certainly need no introductions, having contested the last three Ulster finals. Monaghan, of course, won two of those and they also edged a low-scoring league battle in Letterkenny last year, 12 months after losing at the same venue. Malachy O’Rourke has named a Monaghan team showing two changes from last Sunday, with Ryan McAnespie and Daniel McKenna in for Vincent Corey and Kieran Hughes. The hosts will hope to provide more support up front to Conor McManus, with Colin Walshe, Drew and Ryan Wylie, Darren Hughes and Dessie Mone other key players. Michael Murphy, Ryan and Eoin McHugh, Paddy McGrath and Paddy McBrearty are among the main men for Donegal.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Colin Walshe, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Dessie Mone, Fintan Kelly, Karl O’Connell; Neil McAdam, Darren Hughes; Shane Carey, Dermot Malone, Thomas Kerr; Ryan McAnespie, Daniel McKenna, Conor McManus (Capt.).
Subs: Mark Keogh, Conor Boyle, John McCarron, Kieran Duffy, Vincent Corey, Dick Clerkin, Kieran Hughes, Owen Duffy, Conor McCarthy, Barry McGinn, Fergal McGeough.
Ulster Minor Football League Group A
Monaghan v Cavan, Saturday, 12.00, Clones
Monaghan bid to finish their Ulster MFL group stage unbeaten when they face Cavan at St. Tiarnach’s Park on Saturday.
Wins over Down and Armagh have Monaghan top of the table, while Cavan have yet to get their first points on the board. Micheál Bannigan, Frank Connolly, Paudie McMahon, Ryan Mohan and Ciarán Burns have been to the fore for Monaghan to date.
Ulster U-17 Football League Group A
Monaghan v Cavan, Saturday, 1.30, Clones
Monaghan need to beat Cavan on Saturday if they are to progress in the Ulster U-17 Football League.
A win over Down was followed by a defeat against Armagh for Monaghan, while Cavan have had convincing wins over both of the other Group A teams. Monaghan are without several of last year’s Buncrana Cup-winning squad, including several players on duty with Patrician High School, but they should still be able to call on the likes of Oran McElligott, Hugh McGinn, Cormac O’Connor and Jamie Shields.
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Kerry, Sunday, 12.00, Blackhill
Monaghan’s ladies return to action when they welcome Kerry to Blackhill on Sunday.
Monaghan followed defeats against Galway, Armagh and Dublin by winning their local derby against Tyrone, before being knocked back again by Cork last time out. Kerry have beaten Cork and Galway while losing out to Armagh, Dublin and Mayo.
Monaghan are without some key players, but can still call on others such as Cora and Sharon Courtney, Gráinne McNally, Therese Scott, the McAnespies and Ellen McCarron. Edel Murphy, Patrice Dennehy and Megan O’Connell are key players for Kerry, who also have the likes of Louise Ní Muircheartaigh on the bench.
The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues continue with games in all divisions on Saturday.
Division 1A joint-leaders Scotstown and Truagh host Clontibret and Magheracloone respectively, while Latton face Monaghan Harps. Castleblayney will hope to maintain their 100% record away to Emyvale in Division 1B, where the other fixtures are Ballybay v Aughnamullen and Donaghmoyne v Cremartin. Division Two table-toppers Seán McDermotts and Doohamlet are up against Drumhowan and Rockcorry respectively, while in Division Three, it’s Carrickmacross v Clones, Killeevan v Inniskeen and Oram v Killanny.
The Minor Football Leagues also begin this week, starting on Sunday with south-Monaghan derbies between Carrickmacross and Inniskeen (Division One) and Corduff v Magheracloone (Division Two).
Tuesday’s Division One fixtures are Aughnamullen v St. Patrick’s, Clontibret v Truagh and Scotstown v Monaghan Harps, while in Division Two, Donaghmoyne, Killanny, Na Mullaí Sarsfields and Patrick Emmets have home advantage against Clann na nGael, Castleblayney, Emyvale and Clones respectively. Division Three gets underway with Latton v Doohamlet, Seán McDermotts v Rockcorry and Tyholland v Cremartin.
By cshalvey Sat 2nd Apr
