Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Semi-Finals
Currin v Éire Óg, Saturday, 3.30, Scotstown
Clones v Seán McDermotts, Saturday, 5.00, Scotstown
The JFC semi-finals are down for decision in Scotstown on Saturday.
First up is the clash of Currin and Éire Óg.
Currin have taken the direct route to this stage via wins over Drumhowan and Clones, while Éire Óg have played twice as many games; beating Rockcorry (after extra-time), Drumhowan and Oram, while losing narrowly to Clones. Currin are five points clear of Éire Óg in the league, having beaten them in a high-scoring clash in June.
Currin, who are bidding for a quick return to the intermediate ranks, will be looking for big performances from the likes of Jack McCarron, Stephen Smyth and the Clerkin and McCaffrey brothers. Éire Óg, who are at this stage of the JFC for the first time since 2012, will need Michael Tierney, Conor Leonard, Francis McMahon, Dermot Gleeson and Ronan Cassidy at their best if they are to reach a first final in ten years.
The second game is a repeat of last year’s semi-final between Clones and Seán McDermotts.
The Seáns ran out six-point winners 12 months ago, only to lose both league and championship finals, but they currently have 16 straight wins to their name, including against Scotstown and Oram in the JFC. Despite losing to Currin in a thriller, Clones have seen off Killeevan, Éire Óg and Aghabog. The Seáns are ten points clear of Clones in the JFL; having edged their opponents in a star game in June.
Clones will need Fintan Kelly, James Mealiff, Adrian Alford, Eoin McQuaid and Darragh Holland on top form if they are to turn the tables on a Seáns team led by Páraic McGuirk, Niall Kearns, Adam O’Driscoll, Brian McQuaid and Damien Larkin.
Eight days before they clash in the SFC semi-finals, Magheracloone and Latton meet in the County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League on Saturday, while Donaghmoyne, Killanny and Monaghan Harps host Clontibret, Ballybay and Castleblayney, respectively.
There is plenty to play for regarding both promotion and relegation in Saturday’s fixtures: Blackhill v Tyholland; Corduff v Inniskeen; Doohamlet v Aughnamullen; and Toome v Cremartin.
The juvenile football competitions continue with a busy programme of finals over the next number of days, starting with the Manor Farm Under-14 FL Division One decider in Corduff on Friday evening. A triple-header of finals in Drumhowan on Saturday finishes with the Mallon’s Foods Under-16 FC Division One decider, while there is also a double-bill of U-16 finals at Gavan Duffy Park, Monaghan. Rockcorry hosts another U-14 final on Tuesday.
By cshalvey Fri 15th Sep
