Monaghan’s Ulster MFC quarter-final takes centre stage this Sunday evening, while there is also plenty of club action throughout this week.
Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Quarter-Final
Monaghan v Down, Sunday, 7.00, Clones
Monaghan begin their Ulster MFC campaign against Down in Clones this Sunday evening.
With a team backboned by the county’s first and second Ulster U-16 Buncrana Cup victories in the last two years, Monaghan had a good run in the Ulster Minor Football League. Three consecutive wins – the first of which came against this weekend’s opponents – saw them top Group A, before their campaign ended in defeat in a high-scoring semi-final shoot-out with Donegal that went to extra-time. Down had an underwhelming league campaign, where their only win in four games came against Group A’s bottom team, Cavan, but they will be determined to launch a stronger run in the championship, under the guidance of former senior manager James McCartan.
David Garland, Micheál Bannigan, Frank Connolly, Pádraig Finnan and Paudie McMahon should play key roles for Monaghan.
Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Preliminary Round
Oram v Scotstown, Saturday, 6.30, Monaghan
Oram and Scotstown contest the weekend’s only JFC game at Gavan Duffy Park on Saturday.
Scotstown reached the JFC semi-finals in 2014 and 2015 – losing to Blackhill both times – while Oram have won just one game in this championship since their last appearance in the last four in 2013. Scotstown have won three of their six JFL games this year, with Oram’s only win to date coming against bottom-of-the-table Corduff.
Scotstown can’t use any player who appeared in their run to the 2015 Ulster Club SFC Final, but they could call on the likes of Ruairí Sheehan, Donnacha Dolan, Micheál McCarville, Gerard McCrudden and Cian Mohan. Oram, who have been without key forward Pauric Graham through injury, will need Rory Murphy, Ryan McGuinness, Danny Lynch, Lorcan Keenan and Stephen McBride on form.
Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League Final
Craobh Rua v Truagh, Thursday, 7.45, Monaghan
The Development Hurling League Final is down for decision between Truagh and Craobh Rua, Camlough at Gavan Duffy Park on Thursday.
Craobh Rua won all four group games to finish top, two points ahead of Truagh, whose only defeat came to the Armagh men in a one-sided fourth-round game. Truagh will need big performances from the likes of Conor McKenna, Conor Boyle and Conor McGinnity if they are to reverse that result from early May.
The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League continues with a round of star games this weekend. Neighbours Ballybay and Doohamlet, who are currently two of the three teams tied for second place, clash on Saturday evening, while Castleblayney host Monaghan Harps. Leaders Clontibret face Truagh on Sunday, with Carrickmacross making the short journey to Magheracloone and bottom team Latton travelling to Scotstown.
The Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League also has a full round over the weekend, starting with Rockcorry v Tyholland on Saturday evening. Table-toppers Donaghmoyne face Corduff on Sunday, while Killanny make the short trip to Inniskeen, Aughnamullen take on Cremartin and Emyvale meet Currin. Corduff and Killanny go head to head on Wednesday.
Eurotech Junior Football League front-runners Seán McDermotts are at home to Killeevan on Sunday, while Drumhowan have home advantage against Toome and Blackhill will expect to maintain their 100% record when they go to Corduff. There is a local derby between Blackhill and Toome on Wednesday, while Killeevan travel to Oram on Thursday.
Thursday’s only Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling League game sees Inniskeen host Clontibret.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile football competitions continue with games in Under-14 League and Championship and Under-12 League this week, although the U-16 competitions are now taking a break for exams. There are also games in the Silver Hill Foods U-14 Hurling League.
Meanwhile, Monaghan’s Under-17 hurlers will bid for a third consecutive win in the new Celtic Challenge tournament when they travel to Sligo on Wednesday evening. Wins over Cavan and Leitrim have Monaghan in a share of second place in Group F as they face table-toppers Sligo at Markievicz Park.
By cshalvey Fri 27th May
