Nicky Rackard Cup Quarter-Final
Monaghan v Donegal, Saturday, 3.00, Inniskeen
Monaghan will bid to qualify for the Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2013 when they host Donegal at Páirc Grattan on Saturday.
Having gone into the competition on the back of winning the Allianz Hurling League Division IIIA title, Donegal beat Armagh to add to their momentum, only to fall to a heavy defeat at the hands of Tyrone last time out. Monaghan were edged out by the narrowest of margins against Tyrone, before receiving a bye through Round 2B. This is a third game between these teams in 2017, with the league clashes having produced one win apiece.
Tipperary native Davin Flynn has been a big addition to the Donegal attack this year, as have Declan Coulter and Gerard Gilmore. Lee Henderson is another central figure for the visitors, who will be hoping that Danny Cullen recovers from the knock that forced him off in Carrickmore last week. Dónal Meegan, Peter and Mark Treanor and Brian McGuigan should play key roles for Monaghan, who could have Éanna Mac Suibhne available.
Ulster U-17 Football Championship Quarter-Final
Down v Monaghan, Saturday, 12 noon Clonduff
Also in championship action this Saturday are the county’s U-17 footballers against Down in Clonduff * please note change of venue.
Down won the first game of the inaugural Ulster U-17 Football Championship with a convincing preliminary-round defeat of Fermanagh last Saturday and they will be confident going into this one; having seen off Monaghan comfortably in their league opener in March.
Monaghan came back to win the Shield section of the league and they will hope that the likes of Aaron McGee, Shane Forde, Conor McKeown and Craig Callan can lead their challenge. Down are set to provide a tough test to this Monaghan team, however, after ten players got on the scoresheet in a dominant performance by the Mourne County in Enniskillen. Six of those players – Cormac O’Rawe, Ronan Campbell, Sheelan Johnston, Joe Blaney, Tim Prenter and substitute Patrick Brookes – found the net once each, while Matthew Carville top-scored with 0-6.
Meanwhile, Wednesday evening sees Monaghan’s U-17 hurlers continue their Celtic Challenge campaign away to Cavan.
The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League continues on Friday evening. Scotstown can go top if they win away to Donaghmoyne, while third-placed Ballybay are at home to Monaghan Harps. Elsewhere, Killanny and Magheracloone travel to the north of the county to face Clontibret and Truagh respectively.
Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League joint-leaders Aughnamullen and Carrickmacross face Blackhill and Cremartin respectively on Friday, while Emyvale make the journey to Corduff.
The three joint-leaders in the Eurotech Junior Football League are all in action in a full round of games on Friday. Seán McDermotts and Currin host Drumhowan and Oram respectively, while Clones go to Scotstown. Éire Óg take on Killeevan and the other game is a local derby between Rockcorry and Aghabog.
The Silver Hill Farm Senior Hurling League resumes on Thursday, with Carrickmacross up against Castleblayney and Clontibret meeting Inniskeen. Silver Hill Farm Minor Hurling League leaders Carrickmacross clash with Monaghan Harps on Sunday, while Castleblayney have home advantage against Cootehill.
There is a full round in the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division 1A on Wednesday, with leaders Donaghmoyne at home to Latton, Clontibret facing Scotstown and Truagh hosting Monaghan Harps. The top two meet in Division 1B (Magheracloone v Aughnamullen), where the other game is between Emyvale and Cremartin.
Division 2A joint-leaders Ballybay and Killanny are away to Seán McDermotts and Doohamlet respectively, while Drumhowan play Tyholland. Monaghan Harps and Aghabog meet in Division 2B on Sunday, while Wednesday’s fixtures are Éire Óg v Carrickmacross and Rockcorry v Clones. There is one Division Three game on Sunday, namely Clontibret v Truagh.
Round seven of the Connolly Meats Minor Football Leagues takes place on Tuesday before the break for exams. There is a top-of-the-table clash between Inniskeen and Aughnamullen in Division One, while Scotstown, St. Patrick’s and Truagh host Magheracloone, Killanny and Carrickmacross respectively.
Division Two continues with Castleblayney v St. Tiarnach Sarsfields and Monaghan Harps v Latton.
Division Three has the following fixtures: Patrick Emmets v table-toppers Clontibret; Clann na nGael v Doohamlet; Seán McDermotts v St. Mary’s Na Mullaí; and Tyholland v Cremartin.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile football competitions continue throughout this week, which also sees the Silver Hill Farm U-16 and U-12 Hurling Leagues get underway.
By cshalvey Fri 5th May
