Ulster Senior Hurling Championship Shield Semi-Final
Derry v Monaghan, Saturday, 3.00, Omagh
Monaghan’s enter the Ulster SHC Shield with a semi-final tie against Derry in Omagh on Saturday.
Monaghan’s Allianz National Hurling League campaign ended in disappointment when back-to-back defeats at the hands of Donegal and Tyrone saw them miss out on a third consecutive appearance in the Division 3A Final. Meanwhile, Derry, who reached the Christy Ring Cup Final in 2015, only to see a depleted team relegated 12 months later, steadied the ship by finishing in mid-table in Division 2B.
Trevor Hilliard’s Monaghan will need the likes of Peter Treanor, Dónal and Colm Meegan, Éanna Mac Suibhne and Fergal Rafter on top form against a Derry side led by Oisín McCloskey, Kevin and Liam Hinphey, Alan Grant and Ruairí Convery.
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division One Relegation Play-Off
Monaghan v Armagh, Sunday, 2.30, Athletic Grounds
Monaghan’s ladies put their hopes of extending their long stay in Division One of the league on the line in a play-off away to Armagh on Sunday.
Monaghan won by two points when these sides contested an entertaining game in Clones last weekend to hang on to their chances of staying up. Ulster champions’ Monaghan’s only previous win this year came in dramatic fashion against Mayo, while they 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 that the likes of Ciara and Aoife McAnespie, Ellen McCarron Caoimhe Mohan, Sharon and Cora Courtney, Gráinne McNally, Laura McEnaney and Cathriona McConnell can lead their challenge. Caroline O’Hanlon, Aimee Mackin, Aoife McCoy and Lauren McConville could play key roles for Armagh.
It’s also a busy week on the club scene. The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League picks up pace with four games on Saturday. Last year’s county finalists, Clontibret and Scotstown, clash, while there are local derbies between holders Ballybay and Latton and newly-promoted Donaghmoyne and Magheracloone. Killanny make their return to senior football after 30 years with a home game against Monaghan Harps. There is also a full round on Wednesday evening: Castleblayney v Ballybay; Latton v Donaghmoyne; Magheracloone v Killanny; Monaghan Harps v Scotstown; and Truagh v Clontibret.
The Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League also continues on Saturday, with Aughnamullen, Doohamlet and Tyholland having home advantage against Emyvale, Corduff and Cremartin respectively. Wednesday’s fixtures are: Carrickmacross v Doohamlet; Corduff v Toome; Cremartin v Blackhill; Emyvale v Tyholland; and Inniskeen v Aughnamullen.
The Eurotech Junior Football League kicks off with a derby between Seán McDermotts and Éire Óg on Friday evening, followed by Clones v Aghabog, Currin v Rockcorry and Oram v Killeevan on Saturday and Scotstown v Drumhowan on Sunday. There are a few more local clashes on Wednesday, when it’s Aghabog v Currin; Drumhowan v Oram; Éire Óg v Scotstown; Killeevan v Clones; and Rockcorry v Seán McDermotts.
The Silver Hill Farm Senior Hurling League gets underway on Thursday, April 13, with Castleblayney v Craobh Rua, Camlough; Inniskeen v Carrickmacross and Truagh v Clontibret.
Round three of the Connolly Meats Minor Football Leagues takes centre stage on Tuesday. Division One joint-leaders Aughnamullen and Inniskeen are away to Donaghduff Gaels (Donaghmoyne and Corduff) and Scotstown respectively, while Truagh host St. Patrick’s (Ballybay/Drumhowan) and Killanny face Magheracloone.
Division Two continues with Emyvale hosting Latton and Monaghan Harps meeting St. Tiarnach Sarsfields (Clones/Killeevan). Division Three has the following fixtures: Clontibret v St. Mary’s Na Mullaí (Éire Óg/Rockcorry); Cremartin v Doohamlet; Seán McDermotts v Clann na nGael (Oram/Toome); and Tyholland v Patrick Emmets (Aghabog/Currin).
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 8th Apr
