Ulster Minor Football League Semi-Final
Derry v Monaghan, Saturday, 12.00, Owenbeg
Monaghan’s minor and Under-17 footballers put their Ulster league hopes on the line in the knock-out stages this Saturday.
Wins over Down and Armagh saw Paul Curran’s minor team qualify from Group A of the MFL with a game to spare, before they lost to Cavan with a completely different XV in round three. They now travel to Owenbeg to face Derry at the semi-final stage. Derry topped Group B after narrow wins over Fermanagh, Antrim and Donegal and a draw with Tyrone.
Conor McCabe, Seán Burns, Liam Óg Murray, Conor Doyle, Jack Gormley and Tiernan Duffy could play central roles for Monaghan, who are bidding to qualify for the Ulster MFL Final for the first time since 2013. Derry can call on the likes of Conor McCluskey, Cormac Murphy and Simon McErlain from the St. Mary’s, Magherafelt team that won the MacRory Cup last month, while they also have Ulster Schools All-Stars Pádraig McGrogan, Callum Brown and Patrick Quigg in their ranks.
Ulster U-17 Football League Shield Semi-Final
Monaghan v Antrim, Saturday, 1.30, Clones
Also on Saturday is the Ulster U-17 Football League Shield semi-final against Antrim in Clones.
Monaghan beat Armagh in Group A, but that came in between disappointing defeats against Down and Cavan. Antrim won two games in Group B (at the expense of Fermanagh and Donegal), but losses to Tyrone and Derry saw them finish just two points adrift of the top two.
It’s also a busy week on the club scene. The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League continues at pace with a full round on Saturday.
County champions Scotstown will aim to continue their winning start when they host Magheracloone, as will Latton, who are away to newly-promoted Killanny. Castleblayney and Monaghan Harps make short journeys to Donaghmoyne and Clontibret respectively, while Ballybay host Truagh.
The Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League also continues on Saturday. Aughnamullen, Carrickmacross and Tyholland all have two wins to their name ahead of games against Toome, Corduff and Inniskeen respectively, with the first two being local derbies, as is the clash of Doohamlet and Cremartin. The other IFL game sees Blackhill and Emyvale both go in search of their first points.
Clones and Seán McDermotts will both be chasing a third win in the Eurotech Junior Football League when they host Drumhowan and Aghabog respectively on Saturday, when the other fixtures are Currin v Killeevan and Éire Óg v Rockcorry. Oram are also unbeaten ahead of their trip to Scotstown on Sunday.
The Silver Hill Farm Senior Hurling League continues with round two on Thursday. Sunday’s Minor Hurling League fixtures are: Castleblayney v Monaghan Harps; Cootehill v Carrickmacross; and Inniskeen v Lisbellaw.
By cshalvey Fri 14th Apr
