Monaghan’s minor footballers are in action again this weekend, while there is also plenty of club action on the agenda, including the start of the Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship.
Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Quarter-Final
Cavan v Monaghan, Sunday, 7.00, Kingspan Breffni Park
Following last Saturday’s Ulster preliminary-round win over Fermanagh, Monaghan’s minor footballers travel to Cavan for a quarter-final derby this Sunday evening.
Cavan beat Monaghan in the Ulster Minor Football League on their way to topping Group A with a 100% record, before the Breffni side lost to Tyrone in the Cup semi-finals. Cavan will hope that Karl Cosgrove, Ruairí Curran and Oisín Pearson can provide the scores for their side, with support from the likes of Philip Rogers and Ronan Patterson.
Monaghan started the seven-point win over Fermanagh with five players who featured in last year’s championship – Josh Walsh, Ryan Mohan, Karl McMenamin, McAlister and Burns – with another, Conor Doyle, coming on to kick two points in the last 20 minutes. Paul Curran’s side will need big performances from those players and the likes of Woods and David Hanley.
Monaghan’s Under-17 hurlers are in action twice in the Celtic Challenge this week, as they host Leitrim in Clontibret on Saturday at 12.30, before travelling to Trim to face ‘Meath Kings’ on Wednesday evening.
Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Round 1A
Currin v Drumhowan, Friday, 7.45, Smithborough
The first game of the JFC is between Currin and Drumhowan on Friday in Smithborough.
Currin have made a perfect start to the year as they bid to make a quick return to the intermediate ranks, with five wins to their name in the league, including a five-point victory in Drumhowan, who have earned just one point to date.
Currin will be looking for big performances from in-form county man Jack McCarron, as well as Stephen Smyth, Ciarán McCaffrey and player-manager Dick Clerkin, while Kevin Mooney, Owen Quinn and Mark McCabe are key for Drumhowan, who have been without the likes of David Millar and Darren Duffy for spells due to injuries.
Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Round 1A
Scotstown v Seán McDermotts, Saturday, 7.15, Emyvale
Seán McDermotts will also hope to build on their impressive form when they face Scotstown in Emyvale on Saturday.
The Seáns lost out in both league and championship finals last year, but they have begun 2017 with five straight wins. Scotstown also won their opening game, but have been unable to add to their points tally since they edged out Drumhowan.
Niall Kearns, Adam O’Driscoll, Paddy Kieran and Brian McQuaid could play key roles for the Seáns, while Scotstown will need Conor Forde, Jack McDevitt, Dermot McCrudden, Leonard McDermott and Micheál McCarville on top form.
Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Preliminary Round
Clones v Killeevan, Sunday, 1.00, Scotstown
Éire Óg v Rockcorry, Sunday, 2.30, Scotstown
The game between Clones and Killeevan has been rescheduled due to a bereavement in the St. Tiarnach’s club and will now be played as the first part of a double-header in Scotstown on Sunday. Clones are one of three teams on maximum points after five rounds of the league, which puts them at the opposite end of the table to local rivals Killeevan.
Clones can call on county seniors Fintan Kelly and James Mealiff, as well as the likes of Adrian Alford, Eoin McQuaid and Fabian Beggan, while Killeevan will hope that Noel Smith, Kevin McGinn and Ciarán Corr can inspire a change in fortunes.
The other preliminary-round tie sees Éire Óg face Rockcorry.
Rockcorry won the county and Ulster JFC titles in 2015, but despite reaching the IFC Final last year, they dropped back down to junior and they have managed just one win in the early stages of the current campaign. Éire Óg started their year with a heavy derby defeat against Seán McDermotts, but they have bounced back with four consecutive wins.
Rockcorry will hope to be able to call on Niall McKeown, Mark and Daly and Noel Carroll to lead their challenge, while Éire Óg will be looking to Dermot Gleeson, Michael Tierney, Conor Leonard and Ronan Cassidy to see them through to Round 1A.
County Monaghan Credit Unions Senior Football League leaders Scotstown make the short journey to Truagh on Friday evening, while nearest challengers Latton and Ballybay are at home to Magheracloone and Killanny respectively. Castleblayney host Monaghan Harps and Donaghmoyne travel to Clontibret.
Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League joint-leaders Aughnamullen and Carrickmacross host Doohamlet and Emyvale respectively on Friday, while the other fixtures are Cremartin v Toome; Inniskeen v Corduff; and Tyholland v Blackhill.
The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championships are down to the semi-final stages. Holders Truagh are away to Magheracloone in the O’Duffy Cup on Sunday, while Scotstown host Latton on Wednesday. The first Crawley Cup semi sees Ballybay face Carrickmacross on Sunday, with defending champions Seán McDermotts up against Killanny in Threemilehouse on Wednesday. Both McKeown Cup games are down for decision on Wednesday: Clontibret v Truagh and Corduff v Inniskeen.
Blackhill make the short journey to Castleblayney for a Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division 1B game on Wednesday.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile football competitions continue throughout this week, with Silver Hill Farm juvenile hurling action on Monday evening.
By cshalvey Fri 26th May
