The Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship semi-finals take centre stage this weekend.
Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Semi-Finals
Blackhill v Toome, Saturday, 5.00 Oram
Clones v Seán McDermotts, Sunday, 4.00, Scotstown
First up is a mid-Monaghan derby between Blackhill and Toome in Oram on Saturday. Blackhill are bidding to qualify for the JFC Final for the fourth year in a row, having lost three in a row, two after replays, including last year’s decider against eventual Ulster junior champions Rockcorry. Toome’s last appearance in the final also saw them lost to that year’s provincial JFC winners, Emyvale, in 2009.
Wins over Scotstown and Drumhowan have seen Blackhill take the direct route to another semi-final, while Toome have come a long way since losing their championship opener against Drumhowan. They then stuttered past Killeevan, but they have racked up 5-39 in knocking out Scotstown and Éire Óg. Blackhill went nine games unbeaten in the JFL, including a three-point win over their neighbours, but after edging into the top half, Toome have impressed since the league split, going top of the table.
Dónal, Ryan and Anthony Courtney, Dermot Daly, Darren Woods, Mickey Geehan and Philip Donnelly should play key roles for Blackhill, while Toome will be looking for big performances from Frank Connolly and James and Gary Wilson, Seán McMahon, Mattie O’Reilly and Jason Murphy.
Clones and Seán McDermotts clash in Scotstown on Sunday.
The Seáns have qualified via a comfortable win over Corduff and a much tighter victory against local rivals Éire Óg, while Clones have recovered from losing to Blackhill by also cruising past Corduff, before edging out Aghabog and Drumhowan, both by the narrowest of margins. These teams shared second place in the JFL and are currently separated by just a point in the post-split Cup section, while their two meetings have resulted in a draw and a one-point win for Clones.
Clones have been without Fintan Kelly, who recently returned home after helping the Monaghan New York team win the NYC SFC title. The county man should boost a side that also features Adrian Alford, James Mealiff, Darragh Holland, Eoin McQuaid and Fabian Beggan. The return to fitness of Paddy Kieran has boosted the Seáns’ options, alongside others like Damien Larkin, Adam O’Driscoll, Niall Kearns, Noel Rice, Mark McGuigan and James McAleer.
The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League continues with a full round on Sunday. Leaders Ballybay are at home to Magheracloone, with second-placed Castleblayney away to Latton. Two of the teams sharing third place, Truagh and Monaghan Harps, clash, while next week’s SFC finalists Clontibret and Scotstown are away to the bottom two; Doohamlet and Carrickmacross, respectively.
There is also a full round in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League, with six of the ten teams playing their penultimate group games. Joint-leaders Donaghmoyne and Inniskeen are away to Cremartin and Rockcorry respectively, with nearest challengers Tyholland going to Aughnamullen. Killanny can take a major step towards securing a semi-final place if they beat Emyvale, while the bottom two clash when Corduff host already-relegated Currin.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile football finals are down for decision on Saturday: Donaghmoyne v Latton in the Under-16 Football League Division Two at Magheracloone and Aughnamullen v Drumhowan in the Under-14 Football League Division Three at Doohamlet.
By cshalvey Sat 24th Sep
