Allianz National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Dublin, Sunday, 2.00, Clones
Monaghan host Dublin in the last round of the Allianz NFL on Sunday, with a place in the Division One Final up for grabs.
Wins over Mayo, Kerry and Roscommon and draws with Cavan and Donegal have Monaghan (whose only defeat to date came against Tyrone) sitting in joint-second place alongside the Tír Chónaill side, just a point behind Sunday’s visitors to St. Tiarnach’s Park. All-Ireland champions Dublin, who are bidding for a fifth consecutive NFL title, have come through a testing campaign with their long unbeaten run intact; now standing at a record-breaking 35 games in league and championship. They were held to draws by Tyrone, Donegal and Kerry, but wins against Cavan, Mayo and Roscommon have them top.
Dublin were convincing winners on their last visit to Clones two years ago, while the teams have contested two one-point games since then, with Jim Gavin’s side edging a 2015 league semi-final and another Croke Park clash last spring.
Malachy O’Rourke has named a Monaghan starting team with one change from the dramatic draw in Ballyshannon last week, with Shane Carey returning in place of the injured Ryan McAnespie. Micheál Bannigan keeps his place after making his league debut last time out, while Stephen Finnegan will be hoping to get his first taste of NFL action off the bench, which also features Colin Walshe. The hosts will hope for Jack McCarron to maintain his fine form alongside Conor McManus up front, while the Hughes and Wylie brothers should also be to the fore.
Dean Rock has been prolific for Dublin, with Brian Fenton, Philly McMahon, Paul Flynn and Kevin McManamon also going well, while the likes of Niall Scully and Conor McHugh have advanced their chances during the league.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Fintan Kelly, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Dessie Ward, Neil McAdam, Karl O’Connell; Darren Hughes, Kieran Hughes; Micheál Bannigan, Shane Carey, Gavin Doogan; Owen Duffy, Jack McCarron, Conor McManus.
Subs: Conor Forde, Stephen Finnegan, Dermot Malone, Vincent Corey, James Mealiff, Brian Greenan, Thomas Kerr, Kieran Duffy, Conor McCarthy, Stephen Gollogly, Colin Walshe.
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Armagh, Sunday, 12.00, Clones
Sunday’s curtain-raiser sees Monaghan’s ladies go in search of the points they desperately need to have any chance of avoiding relegation from Division One when they take on Armagh.
Ulster champions’ Monaghan’s only win so far came in dramatic fashion against Mayo at Sunday’s venue, while they have lost to Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Cork and Donegal. Armagh have beaten both of the 2016 All-Ireland finalists (Cork and Dublin) in this campaign, but they took no points off Galway, Kerry, Mayo and Donegal.
Monaghan will hope to be able to call on the likes of Ciara and Aoife McAnespie, Caoimhe Mohan, Sharon and Cora Courtney, Gráinne McNally, Laura McEnaney and Cathriona McConnell to lead their challenge. Caroline O’Hanlon, Aimee Mackin, Aoife McCoy and Lauren McConville could play key roles for Armagh.
Ulster Minor Football League Group A
Cavan v Monaghan, Saturday, 12.00, Killinkere
Monaghan’s minor and U-17 footballers face Cavan in Killinkere on Saturday.
Both teams are already through to the semi-finals after seeing off Down and Armagh. Conor McCabe, Robbie McAlister, Conor Doyle, David Hanley and Liam Óg Murray have been catching the eye for Monaghan.
The U-17s are in action at 1.30. Monaghan lost out to Down in round one, but they bounced back to defeat Armagh last Saturday. Cavan also beat Armagh, before drawing with Down. Kieran Duffy, Conor McKeown, Craig Callan, Tiernan McSkane and Conor McCrystal should feature for Monaghan.
It’s also a busy week on the club scene. The first game of the County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League takes place on Wednesday evening, with Truagh hosting Castleblayney.
The Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League also begins on Wednesday evening, with newly-promoted teams Blackhill and Toome having home advantage against Carrickmacross and Inniskeen respectively.
There are games in all divisions of the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League on Saturday. Division 1A continues with Latton and Monaghan Harps at home to Clontibret and Donaghmoyne respectively, while the Division 1B fixtures are Aughnamullen v Castleblayney, Blackhill v Emyvale and Cremartin v Magheracloone. Ballybay, Killanny and Tyholland have home advantage against Drumhowan, Seán McDermotts and Doohamlet respectively in Division 2A, while in Division 2B, it’s Aghabog v Éire Óg and Carrickmacross v Rockcorry. Division Three sees Oram and Truagh play hosts to Inniskeen and Corduff.
The Silver Hill Farm Development Hurling League gets underway on Thursday, April 6, with Carrickmacross v Craobh Rua, Camlough and Truagh v Monaghan Harps.
Round two of the Connolly Meats Minor Football Leagues takes centre stage on Tuesday. The fixtures in Division One are Carrickmacross v Aughnamullen, Magheracloone v Inniskeen, Scotstown v Truagh and the clash of the amalgamated sides: Donaghduff Gaels (Donaghmoyne and Corduff) v St. Patrick’s (Ballybay/Drumhowan).
Division Two continues with St. Tiarnach Sarsfields (Clones/Killeevan) hosting Castleblayney and Latton meeting Monaghan Harps. Division Three starts on Tuesday with the following fixtures: Clann na nGael (Oram/Toome) v Cremartin; Doohamlet v Clontibret; Patrick Emmets (Aghabog/Currin) v Seán McDermotts and St. Mary’s Na Mullaí (Éire Óg/Rockcorry) v Tyholland.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile football competitions continue, with games in the Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12 Football Leagues spread out throughout this week
By cshalvey Sat 1st Apr
