It’s a big weekend for county teams, with another three big games down for decision.
Ulster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final Replay
Monaghan v Donegal, Saturday, 7.00, Cavan
Monaghan will once again attempt to qualify for a fourth consecutive Ulster SFC Final when they contest their semi-final replay against Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday evening.
The teams played out an absorbing draw at the same venue last Saturday evening, in a game where the lead changed hands on numerous occasions and Monaghan finished strongly to earn a second chance. A comprehensive win over Down saw Monaghan through to another clash with regular opponents Donegal, who saw off Fermanagh in their quarter-final. These teams have, of course, contested each of the last three Ulster finals, with Monaghan’s wins in 2013 and 2015 sandwiching a 2014 Donegal victory. Monaghan also edged out their rivals in the last round of this spring’s Allianz National Football League, coming from seven points down for a one-point win that secured their Division One status.
Both counties have named unchanged teams. Conor McManus will again shoulder much of the attacking responsibility for Monaghan, with support from the likes of Kieran and Darren Hughes, while an experienced back-line is led by Colin Walshe, Drew and Ryan Wylie and Vincent Corey. Donegal will be looking for big performances from the likes of Michael Murphy, Patrick McBrearty, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Ryan and Eoin McHugh and Frank McGlynn.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Colin Walshe, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Kieran Duffy, Vincent Corey, Fintan Kelly; Kieran Hughes, Karl O’Connell; Owen Duffy, Ryan McAnespie Shane Carey; Conor McCarthy, Darren Hughes, Conor McManus (Capt.).
Subs: Conor Forde, Conor Boyle, Dessie Mone, Neil McAdam, Dick Clerkin, Paul Finlay, Stephen Gollogly, Thomas Kerr, Dermot Malone, Daniel McKenna, Jack McCarron.
Donegal: Mark Anthony McGinley; Paddy McGrath, Ciarán Gillespie, Éamon McGee; Ryan McHugh, Karl Lacey, Frank McGlynn; Rory Kavanagh, Odhrán Mac Niallais; Anthony Thompson, Martin McElhinney, Eoin McHugh; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy (Capt.), Martin O’Reilly.
TG4 Ulster Ladies Senior Football Championship Final
Monaghan v Cavan, Sunday, 2.00, Clones
Monaghan’s ladies footballers will bid to win the Ulster SFC for the first time since 2013 when they take on Cavan at St. Tiarnach’s Park on Sunday.
Monaghan put a testing spring – where they had to battle to hang on to NFL Division One status – behind them to upset the odds against a fancied Armagh side at the semi-final stage, while Cavan caused a similar surprise by ending Donegal’s reign as provincial champions.
Despite some high-profile departures at the start of this year, Monaghan can still call on the likes of Ciara and Aoife McAnespie, Sharon and Cora Courtney, Laura McEnaney and Gráinne McNally. Cavan have a star forward in Aisling Doonan, as well as players like Amy Rooney, Róisín O’Keefe and Rosie Crowe.
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling C Championship Quarter-Final
Louth v Monaghan, Saturday, 2.00, Dowdallshill
Monaghan’s Under-21 hurlers take on Louth at Dowdallshill, Dundalk in an All-Ireland ‘C’ quarter-final.
Monaghan will hope to build on competitive showings at minor level in recent years, particularly if they can call on the likes of Conor Boyle, Dónal and Colm Meegan, Ronan Curran and Cathal Power.
There is a rescheduled ‘star game’ between Carrickmacross and Castleblayney in the County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League on Monday.
Aughnamullen are at home to Inniskeen in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League on Friday.
Blackhill will attempt to maintain their unbeaten record in the Eurotech Junior Football League when they host Scotstown on Friday, while Drumhowan travel to Killeevan and local rivals Oram and Toome go head to head.
There are two full rounds in the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division 1A this week. Sunday’s fixtures are Latton v Clontibret, Magheracloone v Monaghan Harps and a local derby between Scotstown and Truagh. Scotstown face another near-neighbour Monaghan Harps on Wednesday, when the other games are Truagh v Clontibret and Magheracloone v Latton.
Emyvale and Cremartin meet in Division 1B on Friday, while Sunday’s games are a derby between Ballybay and Castleblayney and the clash of the top two, Donaghmoyne and Aughnamullen. Emyvale, Castleblayney and Aughnamullen have home advantage against Ballybay, Donaghmoyne and Cremartin respectively on Wednesday.
Drumhowan host Blackhill in Division Two on Sunday, while Doohamlet face Seán McDermotts on Monday. The Seáns are at home to Drumhowan on Wednesday, with Blackhill hosting Tyholland.
Sunday’s Division Three games see Aghabog, Inniskeen and Killeevan play hosts to Carrickmacross, Éire Óg and Oram respectively.
The Minor Football Leagues resume on Tuesday evening after the exam break.
Division Two leaders Donaghmoyne are at home to Na Mullaí Sarsfields, while Castleblayney, Emyvale, Killanny and Patrick Emmets host Clones, Carrickmacross, Clann na nGael and Inniskeen respectively.
The Division Three fixtures are Rockcorry v Cremartin, Seán McDermotts v Doohamlet and table-toppers Latton v Tyholland.
Castleblayney will bid for a sixth straight win in the Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling League when they host Monaghan Harps on Thursday, while Truagh face Clontibret and Carrickmacross meet Craobh Rua.
There is action in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12 Football Leagues in the coming week, as well as the Silver Hill Foods Under-12 Hurling League.
By cshalvey Sat 2nd Jul
