Previews

McElvaney Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Round 2A

Carrickmacross v Emyvale, Saturday, 5.30, Castleblayney

Aughnamullen v Tyholland, Saturday, 7.15, Castleblayney

The first two IFC semi-final places are up for grabs in Castleblayney on Saturday evening, starting with Carrickmacross v Emyvale.

Carrickmacross already have two championship wins to their name at the expense of Blackhill and Inniskeen, while Emyvale put their poor league form to one side to beat Corduff. The teams’ IFL records to date are a mirror image, with Carrick having won 10 of their 11 games and Emyvale managing just one win, while the Emmets had a comfortable win when they met in May.

Carrick can call on the likes of Stephen Gollogly, Aaron Lynch, Seán and Mark Downey and Peter, Kevin and Stephen O’Hanlon, while Emyvale will need big performances from Ryan McAnespie, Daniel McMahon, Karl McQuaid and James O’Neill.

Aughnamullen and Tyholland contest the second ‘front-door’ quarter-final.

Aughnamullen saw off Doohamlet in the first round, while Tyholland finished strongly to get past Cremartin. The Sarsfields are just a point ahead of their north-Monaghan opponents in the league; having had a five-point win in their last meeting.

Aughnamullen will be looking to Micheál Bannigan, Pete Dooney, Seán Sheridan and Colin Clerkin to lead their challenge, with Karl O’Connell, Dermot Coyle, Ronan McNally and Pádraig Finnan key to Tyholland’s chances.

McElvaney Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Round 2B

Cremartin v Inniskeen, Sunday, 1.30, Drumhowan

Doohamlet v Toome, Sunday, 6.30, Blackhill

The IFC continues with a pair of Round 2B games on Sunday, the first of which is Cremartin v Inniskeen in Drumhowan.

Inniskeen beat Toome in the preliminary round, only to lose to Carrickmacross, while Cremartin fell short in their opener against Tyholland. Cremartin are a point ahead of Inniskeen in the league, having played a game more than the Grattans, and the small margins between the teams is emphasised by the fact that their most recent meeting was a draw.

Inniskeen will need Dónal, Paul and Ronan Meegan, Matthew McKenna and Gerard McArdle on form, with Johnny and Paddy McGuigan, Barry Kerr and Paddy McNally central players for Cremartin.

Doohamlet and Toome put their championship hopes on the line for the second consecutive weekend when they meet in Blackhill.

Doohamlet recovered from losing to Aughnamullen to edge past Blackhill last Saturday, while Toome put their derby defeat against Inniskeen behind them to knock Corduff out. Toome won by six points against Doohamlet last month and their good recent run has lifted last year’s JFL winners to third in the IFL.

Doohamlet, who have Barry McBennett in prolific form in the continued absence of the injured Barry McGinn, will be hoping that the experience of players like Colin Walshe, Ciarán McManus and Gabie Casey can guide them through. Toome are led by bright prospects James Wilson and Frank Connolly, along with Seán McMahon, Gary Wilson and Jason Murphy.

Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Round 3B

Éire Óg v Oram, Sunday, 1.30, Scotstown

The JFC semi-final line-up is set to be completed when Éire Óg and Oram meet in Scotstown on Sunday.

Éire Óg beat Rockcorry in the preliminary round after extra-time and although they then lost to Clones, they bounced back to knock Drumhowan out. Oram beat Aghabog, but were no match for unbeaten Seán McDermotts in Round 2A. There is nothing to separate the teams in the league, where they both have 12 points from 11 games. Oram ran out convincing winners when they visited Smithborough in June.

Michael Tierney, Dermot Gleeson, Conor Leonard, Francis McMahon and Ronan Cassidy could play key roles for Éire Óg, with Pauric Graham, Ryan McGuinness, Jason McDonald and Chris McGeough among the main men for Oram.

It’s top v bottom in the County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League on Saturday when leaders Scotstown bid to repeat their recent championship win over Killanny. Nearest challengers Ballybay host a resurgent Magheracloone, while Clontibret, Donaghmoyne and Truagh host Castleblayney, Monaghan Harps and Latton, respectively.

Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League front-runners Carrickmacross host second-placed Corduff on Wednesday evening, while there are other local derbies between Cremartin and Doohamlet and Aughnamullen and Toome. Elsewhere, Tyholland travel to Inniskeen and Emyvale host Blackhill.

Currin can close the gap on Seán McDermotts at the top of the Eurotech Junior Football League table if they win away to Killeevan on Wednesday evening, while Clones travel to Aghabog in a repeat of Friday’s championship clash and Rockcorry take on Éire Óg.

There is action in the Mallon’s Foods Under-16 Football, Manor Farm Under-14 Football, Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-12 Football and Silver Hill Farm juvenile hurling competitions this week.