Nicky Rackard Cup Round One
Fermanagh v Monaghan, Saturday, 3.30, Enniskillen
Monaghan start their Nicky Rackard Cup campaign with a local derby away to Fermanagh.
Monaghan recovered from losing their first two games to reach the NHL Division 3A Final for the second year in a row, but they were no match for Roscommon on that occasion. Fermanagh are in the Nicky Rackard Cup for the first time since 2007, having won the Lory Meagher title last year. They topped the Allianz Hurling League Division 3B last month and won the final against Longford, only to miss out on promotion after a play-off with Tyrone that went to extra-time.
Stephen Lambe, Mark and Peter Treanor and Niall Garland are central players for Monaghan, with Fermanagh needing big performances from the likes of Seán Corrigan, JP McGarry, Ryan Bogue and Danny Teague.
County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League leaders Ballybay are away to Truagh on Saturday evening, while there are also renewals of rivalries between Clontibret and Monaghan Harps and Magheracloone and Latton. Last year’s promoted teams, Doohamlet and Carrickmacross, clash on Sunday, while Castleblayney face Scotstown on Tuesday.
Donaghmoyne will be chasing a fourth consecutive win in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League when they make the trip to Currin on Saturday, with Rockcorry bidding for their first points since their return to the IFL when they go to Corduff. Killanny aim to continue their impressive start when they host the also unbeaten Aughnamullen, while Cremartin take on Emyvale and Tyholland are up against Inniskeen.
The big game of the weekend in the Eurotech Junior Football League sees table-toppers Seán McDermotts travel to Toome on Sunday, while Aghabog and Oram are at home to Corduff and Clones respectively. Saturday evening’s fixtures are Killeevan v Blackhill and Drumhowan v Éire Óg.
The Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League continues on Thursday with Monaghan Harps v Craobh Rua Camlough and Carrickmacross v Truagh.
There is one Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division Three game between Killeevan and Inniskeen on Wednesday.
Aughnamullen, who moved out on their own at the top of the Minor Football League Division One this week, host Clontibret next Tuesday, when the other fixtures are Truagh v Scotstown, Monaghan Harps v Magheracloone and St. Patrick’s v Corduff. There is a full round in Division Two on Tuesday, when Carrickmacross, Clann na nGael, Donaghmoyne and Inniskeen are at home to Killanny, Emyvale, Patrick Emmets and Clones respectively. The fourth round in Division Three is also down for decision, with table-toppers Latton hosting Cremartin, while Doohamlet and Tyholland make the short journeys to Rockcorry and Seán McDermotts.
After Carrickmacross picked up the first Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile silverware of the year in Monday’s Under-14 Hurling Championship Final, another two titles are up for grabs in Blackhill on Saturday. Donaghmoyne and Latton contest the Under-14 Football Championship Division One Final, following the Division Two decider between Clann na nGael (Toome/Oram) and Scotstown.
There are also games in the Under-14 Football and Hurling Leagues and the Under-16 Football League this week.
By cshalvey Sat 23rd Apr
