SFC semi-finals and finals in senior hurling and minor and underage football are on the agenda this weekend.
Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals
Clontibret v Magheracloone, Sunday, 3.00, Clones
Ballybay v Scotstown, Sunday, 4.45, Clones t
The SFC semi-finals take centre stage in Clones on Sunday afternoon.
Wins over Monaghan Harps and Latton have seen Magheracloone take the direct route to the last four – after a five-year absence – while Clontibret have bounced back from losing to Ballybay by knocking out Doohamlet, Monaghan Harps and Latton en route to yet another semi-final. There is precious little to choose between the teams on their league form, where Magheracloone are a point ahead in fourth place, while both games between them were won by the home team: Clontibret back in March and the Mitchells in July.
Magheracloone will need Tommy Freeman, James and Pete Ward, Gavin Doogan, Allan Kieran and Paudie McMahon at their best, while Clontibret will once again be hoping that Conor McManus can fire them through, with the help of others such as Vincent Corey, Dessie Mone, Conor Boyle and Colum and Brian Greenan.
The second semi-final sees Ballybay pit their wits against defending champions Scotstown.
Ballybay are top of the SFL and have impressed in the championship by seeing off Clontibret and Truagh, to set up a clash with the holders, who also eased past Truagh after wins over Doohamlet and Carrickmacross sandwiched a loss to Latton.
Scotstown can call on current county men Darren and Kieran Hughes, Shane Carey and Rory Beggan and they may be boosted by the addition of Conor McCarthy if he is fit to play.
As well as the returning Thomas Kerr and Dessie Ward, Ballybay have Paul Finlay, Drew, Ryan and Brent Wylie and Christopher and Shane McGuinness in their ranks for what should be part two of an exciting double-header.
Silver Hill Farm Senior Hurling League Final Replay
Castleblayney v Inniskeen, Sunday, 1.00, Aughnamullen
Castleblayney and Inniskeen meet again in the SHL Final Replay in Aughnamullen on Sunday.
These teams couldn’t be separated first time out a couple of weeks ago, when Inniskeen couldn’t see the game out as they bid to complete the double, having dethroned Blayney at the quarter-final stage on their way to reclaiming the SHC title. Having claimed the top two places in the league, both teams had convincing SHL semi-final wins: Blayney against Truagh and Inniskeen at the expense of Carrickmacross.
Blayney will hope that the likes of Mark and Peter Treanor, Fergal Rafter, Niall Garland and Brian McGuigan can lead their challenge, while Tadhg Campbell, Ronan, Dónal and Paul Meegan and Martin Murphy should be to the fore for Inniskeen.
Maguire Transport Minor Football Championship Division Two Final
Carrickmacross v Na Mullaí Sarsfields, Sunday, 1.00, Drumhowan
Carrickmacross will attempt to complete a minor Division Two double when they take on Na Mullaí Sarsfields in Sunday’s championship final in Drumhowan.
Carrick claimed their first silverware late last month when they won the league final after a replay against Donaghmoyne. Both of these teams also needed replays to get through their MFC quarter-finals, with Carrick eventually seeing off Killanny and Na Mullaí Sarsfields getting past Inniskeen at the second attempt. Carrick went on to defeat Emyvale at the semi-final stage, where Éire Óg/Killeevan combination Na Mullaí Sarsfields got the better of fellow amalgamated side Clann na nGael.
Carrick managed to win the league final without Ryan O’Connor and Jack McMenamin, but they will hope to have their county minor duo fit for this one, along with the likes of Andrew Moore, Dylan Ward, Tiernan McCourt and Jack McGeown. Na Mullaí Sarsfields will need big performances from Conor Leonard, Ciarán Burns, Calvin Carlisle and Francis McMahon.
Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-16 Football Championship Division One Final
Aughnamullen v Magheracloone, Saturday, 2.30, Carrickmacross
Topping the bill of the six juvenile finals down for decision on Saturday is the U-16 FC Division One decider between Aughnamullen and Magheracloone in Carrickmacross.
Having won their club’s first ever Division One double at U-14 level two years ago, before winning the Ulster Óg Sport U-15 title last year, Aughnamullen have continued their fine form throughout 2016, going unbeaten to date. Aughnamullen, who have also qualified for the league final, beat St. Patrick’s in their championship semi-final, while Magheracloone have edged out Monaghan Harps and Castleblayney.
Aughnamullen have the likes of Aaron McGee, Tiernan and Ciarán Duffy, Shane Forde and Kieran Marron in their ranks, while Magheracloone’s players to watch include Liam Óg Murray, Conor McKeown, Dylan McCahey, Ryan McNulty and Ryan Farrelly.
Both U-14 FL Division Four Finals get things underway in Carrick: Corduff v Doohamlet in the Shield at 12 and Ballybay v Tyholland in the Cup at 1.15.
Meanwhile, the U-16 FC Division Two title is up for grabs between Emyvale and Latton in Scotstown. Latton have been the front-runners in the division this year, having lost just one game so far. Among the ones to watch in this game are Aaron Mulligan, Pádraig Hughes and Gavin West (Latton) and Karl Gallagher and Niall McKenna (Emyvale).
Scotstown also host the Under-14 Football League Division Five Shield Final – another clash of Emyvale and Latton – at 12 noon and the Division Three Shield Final between Clones and Clontibret at 1.15.
Castleblayney host Truagh in a rescheduled County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League game on Saturday.
There is a full round of Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League games over the weekend, including four on Saturday. Joint-leaders Donaghmoyne and Inniskeen are up against Emyvale and Cremartin respectively, while their nearest challengers Tyholland host Corduff and bottom side Currin face a must-win match away to Aughnamullen. Rockcorry have home advantage against Killanny on Sunday.
All four JFC semi-finalists are in action in the Eurotech Football League Cup on Sunday, with Blackhill facing Seán McDermotts and leaders Clones travelling to Toome. Aghabog and Corduff contest the only JFL Shield game.
By cshalvey Sat 10th Sep
