Allianz National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Cavan, Sunday, 2.00, Castleblayney
Monaghan have a local derby against Cavan in the NFL Division One at Castleblayney on Sunday.
Monaghan started their campaign with a hard-earned win away to Mayo last Saturday evening, while Cavan’s return to the top flight for the first time since 2002 began with a defeat at home to Dublin. Cavan finished on top when these neighbouring counties last met in the league in a Division Three tie in 2013, but Monaghan have had a brace of one-point wins in the Ulster SFC since then.
Malachy O’Rourke has named an unchanged team from round one. Jack McCarron is one of three additions to the substitutes’ list, which includes five players yet to make their NFL debut. Cavan are in their second league game under the guidance of Mattie McGleenan, who took Scotstown to three Monaghan SFC titles in the last four years.
Seánie Johnston has been in scoring form in recent weeks for the Breffni men, who will also hope to have Gearóid McKiernan back from the start to play a key role, along with others like Killian Clarke, Conor Moynagh, Martin Reilly and Gerard Smith. Monaghan will be hoping that an experienced starting team, featuring the likes of Conor McManus, the Hughes and Wylie brothers and new captain Colin Walshe can earn a second win.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Fintan Kelly, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Kieran Duffy, Neil McAdam, Colin Walshe (Capt.); Darren Hughes, Kieran Hughes; Karl O’Connell, Shane Carey, Gavin Doogan; Conor McCarthy, Thomas Kerr, Conor McManus.
Subs: Conor Forde, James Mealiff, Owen Coyle, Brian Greenan, Niall McKeown, Aaron Lynch, Dermot Malone, Owen Duffy, Ryan McAnespie, Jack McCarron, Barry McGinn.
Cavan: James Farrelly; Fergal Reilly, Pádraig Faulkner, Killian Brady; Martin Reilly, Conor Moynagh, John McCutcheon; Killian Clarke, Rory Dunne; Ciarán Brady, Dara McVeety, Gerard Smith; Niall Clerkin, Gearóid McKiernan, Seán Johnston.
Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A
Tyrone v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Omagh
The Allianz National Hurling League begins this Sunday, with Monaghan starting their Division 3A campaign against Tyrone in Omagh.
Monaghan fell to a narrow defeat in this fixture in round one in 2016, having also lost to their neighbours in the divisional final the previous year. Peter and Mark Treanor, Brian McGuigan, the returning Seán Leonard and Éanna Mac Suibhne and new recruits like Dónal and Colm Meegan and Luke McKenna, although Stephen Lambe and Niall Garland are unavailable.
Both of Trevor Hilliard’s first two years in charge saw Monaghan recover from failing to win their first-round game to qualify for the final – his first NHL game having been a draw at Healy Park in 2015 – but they will be gunning to get off to a winning start this time around. The prolific Damian Casey is the main man for Tyrone, with Matthew Mulgrew, Conor and Seán Óg Grogan and Gerard Gilmore other key players for the Red Hand County, who have Mattie Lennon back for a second term in charge.
Under-21 Shamrock Cup Round Three
Monaghan v Armagh, Wednesday, 8.00, Cloghan
Monaghan’s Under-21 footballers will be looking for a win in Wednesday’s rearranged game against Armagh to maintain their interest in the Shamrock Cup. A three-point defeat away to Louth last Friday night leaves Monaghan tied for second place with Armagh ahead of an effective play-off for a berth in the final.
Ciarán McBride will be keen to get through to the final to get another chance to run the rule over his panel ahead of next month’s defence of the Ulster title. Shane Garland, James Daly, Colm Lennon, Shane Woods, Fergal Hanratty, Jamie Walshe, Pádraig Finnan, Dermot Gleeson, Jason McDonald, Michael Tierney, Francis Maguire have all started both games to date, while several senior panellists still to have to come into the equation.
Also on Wednesday evening, Patrician High School, Carrickmacross are in Danske Bank Ulster Schools MacRory Cup Quarter-Final action against St. Ronan’s, Lurgan at Armagh’s Athletic Grounds (7.30pm).
Patrician have already won two play-off games to reach this stage, knocking out St. Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon and the holders St. Patrick’s, Maghera. The High School, who won the MacLarnon Cup last year, will be looking for big performances from the likes of David Garland, Seán Burns Seán McEnaney, Liam Óg Murray, Andrew Woods and Dylan Connolly as they bid for a place in the last four.
By cshalvey Fri 10th Feb
