Nicky Rackard Cup Round Two
Monaghan v Fingal, Saturday, 2.00, Castleblayney
Monaghan’s senior hurlers bid for a first Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final place since 2013 when they host Fingal on Saturday.
A comprehensive win over Fermanagh last week has Monaghan within touching distance of a place in the last four as they bid for a second win over Fingal this year. Monaghan won a high-scoring game on March 13 to boost their bid to make the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A Final for the second year in a row. Fingal, who ended up fourth in the NHL, reached the final of this competition in 2014, where they lost by a point to Tyrone, who also ended their championship run after extra-time at the quarter-final stage last year.
Stephen Lambe, Mark and Peter Treanor, Fergal Rafter and Niall Garland, should play key roles for Monaghan, while Fingal will need big performances from John Matthew Sheridan, Kieran O’Sullivan, TJ Howard, Ross McGarry and Cillian and Kevin O’Flynn.
The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League continues with a previously-postponed round next Wednesday evening. Leaders Ballybay are away to Magheracloone, while holders Scotstown chase a third straight win when they host Carrickmacross. There are also derbies between Clontibret and Doohamlet, Castleblayney and Latton and Monaghan Harps and Truagh.
The top two meet in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League on Wednesday, when Donaghmoyne bid for a fifth consecutive win at home to Killanny, whose early form has caught the eye since their promotion. After getting their first points since their own rise from junior, Rockcorry host Aughnamullen, while the other fixtures are Corduff v Inniskeen, Cremartin v Currin and Tyholland v Emyvale.
Wednesday’s only game in the Eurotech Junior Football League sees Corduff make the fairly lengthy journey to Clones.
The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championships begin this weekend. Magheracloone start their defence of the O’Duffy Cup with a preliminary-round tie away to Cremartin on Saturday evening, while the Scotstown team they beat in that final travel to Donaghmoyne. Monaghan Harps and Truagh host Emyvale and Aughnamullen respectively on Sunday. Saturday’s Crawley Cup quarter-finals are Doohamlet v Blackhill and Rockcorry v Tyholland, while in the McKeown Cup preliminary round, it’s Killanny v Killeevan on Saturday.
The top two meet in the Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League in Thursday’s game between Truagh and Craobh Rua, Camlough, while Castleblayney face Carrickmacross.
Carrickmacross host holders Monaghan Harps in the Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling League on Sunday, with Cootehill the visitors to Castleblayney.
There are full rounds in all three divisions of the Minor Football League on Tuesday evening.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-12 Football Spring League Finals are down for decision on the Bank Holiday Monday at Cloghan. There are no less than 19 games to be played, the first four of which throw in at 11am, with 28 clubs to be represented.
There are also games in the Under-16 Football League on Thursday evening.
By cshalvey Sat 30th Apr
