Nicky Rackard Cup Quarter-Final
Monaghan v Donegal, Saturday, 3pm, Inniskeen
Monaghan have a second chance to qualify for their first Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final since 2013 when they take on Donegal at Páirc Grattan on Saturday.
Donegal have knocked Monaghan out of this competition three times in the last four years, including in the 2013 semi-finals, when the Tír Chónaill men went on to win the title. Having been beaten in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A Final for the second year in a row, Monaghan beat Fermanagh in Round 1, but they were then edged by Fingal last Saturday. Donegal had a difficult start to this year, which saw them get relegated from Division 2B of the NHL and lose their championship opener against Armagh, but they got their first competitive win of 2016 last week, despite playing more than half of their game against Fermanagh with 14 men.
Trevor Hilliard will be looking to Stephen Lambe, Mark and Peter Treanor, Niall Garland and Brian McGuigan to lead Monaghan’s challenge, while Donegal’s main men include the recently-returned duo Danny Cullen and Jamesie Donnelly, along with Seán McVeigh, Lee Henderson and Ciarán Mathewson.
Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling League Final
Cootehill Celtic v Monaghan Harps, Sunday, 12.00, Truagh
The Silver Hill Foods Monaghan MHL Final is down for decision in Truagh on Sunday.
Cootehill Celtic finished top of the league table after going through the group stage with a 100% record that included a six-point win over second-placed Monaghan Harps. The Harps, who won this title on their way to a double last year, are backboned by several of the current county minor panel, while Cootehill can call on a number of Cavan minors.
There are three games in the County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League on Saturday: a repeat of last year’s county final between Monaghan Harps and Scotstown, Magheracloone’s long trip to Truagh and Clontibret v Latton. Sunday’s games see leaders Ballybay travel to Carrickmacross and Castleblayney make the short journey to Doohamlet.
All five Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League games are on Saturday evening. Donaghmoyne bid for a fifth consecutive win when they go to Aughnamullen, while Rockcorry host Cremartin and Corduff, Currin and in-form Killanny make long journeys to Emyvale, Inniskeen and Tyholland respectively.
Wednesday’s IFL action is centred on south Monaghan, with Killanny up against Donaghmoyne and Corduff facing Inniskeen.
There are Eurotech Junior Football League derbies between Seán McDermotts and Aghabog and Clones and Killeevan on Saturday evening, while Sunday’s fixtures are Éire Óg v Toome, Scotstown v Drumhowan and Corduff v Oram.
The Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling League starts on Thursday evening. Holders Castleblayney are away to Truagh, while Inniskeen and Carrickmacross have home advantage against Clontibret and Monaghan Harps respectively.
There is just one Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League game this week: between Monaghan Harps and Killeevan in Division Three on Wednesday.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg.-sponsored juvenile competitions continue with action in the Under-16 and Under-14 Football Leagues this week, while the Silver Hill Foods Under-14 Hurling League also resumes.
By cshalvey Fri 6th May
