Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals
Latton v Magheracloone, Sunday, 2.00, Clones
Ballybay v Scotstown Sunday, 4.00, Clones
The SFC semi-finals take place in a Clones double-header on Sunday.
First on the agenda is Latton v Magheracloone. Magheracloone made the semi-finals last year, only to lose to Clontibret, while Latton are at this stage for the first time since 2012, when the then holders were dethroned by eventual winners Ballybay. After beating Clontibret in the first round, Latton were edged by Scotstown, but they got past Castleblayney last time out. Magheracloone, meanwhile, have taken the direct route to the last four with wins over Monaghan Harps, Truagh and Ballybay. Latton also ran out one-point winners against Magheracloone in the league last Saturday to complete the double and move clear in second place.
Magheracloone will be looking to Tommy Freeman, Gavin Doogan, Allan Kieran and Paudie McMahon to lead their challenge, while Kieran Duffy, Owen Coyle, Bernard O’Brien and Hugh McElroy are among the main men for Latton, who will hope that Owen Duffy is fit to play.
The second game sees Ballybay and Scotstown meet at the semi-final stage, like they did last year.
Scotstown won on that occasion on their way to retaining the title and they have seen off Killanny and Latton to return to the last four. 2012 winners Ballybay lost to Magheracloone in Round 2A, having previously beaten Castleblayney, but they bounced back to knock out Truagh. Scotstown are top of the SFL and they had a three-point win when they last met Ballybay.
Scotstown will need Kieran and Darren Hughes, Conor McCarthy, Shane Carey and Dónal Morgan on form as they bid to qualify for a fifth straight county final. Ballybay will need Paul Finlay, Christopher McGuinness, Drew and Ryan Wylie and Ciarán Galligan at their best, particularly if Dessie Ward and Thomas Kerr are ruled out.
McElvaney Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Finals
Aughnamullen v Toome, Saturday, 4.00, Inniskeen
Carrickmacross v Tyholland, Saturday, 5.30, Inniskeen
The IFC semi-finals are down for decision at Páirc Grattan on Saturday.
First up is the meeting of Aughnamullen and Toome. Aughnamullen have taken the direct route to this stage via wins over Doohamlet and Tyholland, but despite having lost by the narrowest of margins to Inniskeen in the first round, Toome have knocked out Corduff, Doohamlet and Emyvale. A strong run of form in the league has moved Toome above Aughnamullen and they have won once each when going head-to-head.
Toome will be hoping for big performances from James Wilson, Frank Connolly, Jason Murphy, Mattie O’Reilly and Seán McMahon, while Micheál Bannigan, Colin Clerkin, Seán Sheridan and Pete Dooney are central to Aughnamullen’s chances.
Carrickmacross are up against Tyholland.
After being relegated from senior last year, Carrick have lost once in all competitions so far in 2017 and they are unbeaten since May. The Emmets have seen off Blackhill, Inniskeen and Emyvale in the IFC, where they are looking to make their second final in three years. Tyholland sit in mid-table in the IFL after seven wins and seven defeats, but while they lost to Aughnamullen in Round 2A of the championship, that was sandwiched by wins over Cremartin and Inniskeen. Carrick had a comprehensive win in the only meeting of these teams so far this year.
Carrick have plenty of options up front in the likes of Seán Downey, Stephen and Kevin O’Hanlon and Stephen Gollogly, with Aaron Lynch, Gary McEnaney and Cillian Cromwell other key players. Dermot Coyle, Karl O’Connell, Ronan McNally, Shane Treanor and Pádraig Finnan should be to the fore for Tyholland.
Silver Hill Farm Senior Hurling League Final
Castleblayney v Inniskeen, Sunday, 2.00, Clontibret
Castleblayney will bid to complete a Senior Hurling double when they face Inniskeen in the league final in Clontibret on Sunday.
Blayney’s five-point win in August’s championship final saw them dethrone Inniskeen and they are now seeking to defend the league title which they earned after a replay against the Grattans last year. Blayney topped the table before getting a walkover from Craobh Rua, Camlough for their semi-final, while Inniskeen shared second place, before seeing off Carrickmacross.
Blayney will be looking for Mark and Peter Treanor, Brian McGuigan, Fergal Rafter, Jim McHugh and Hugh Byrne to lead the way, while Inniskeen will need big displays from Ronan, Dónal and Colm Meegan, Martin Murphy and Tadhg Campbell.
Castleblayney host Donaghmoyne in a crucial County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League fixture on Friday night, while Killanny face Clontibret on Sunday.
Inniskeen host Doohamlet in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League on Friday night. Emyvale then play at home to the top two in succession: Corduff on Sunday and Carrickmacross on Wednesday.
After qualifying for the JFC Final, Seán McDermotts will bid for a 15th straight win in the Eurotech Junior Football League against Oram on Sunday. Beaten championship semi-finalists Éire Óg play Drumhowan, while Aghabog travel to Scotstown and Killeevan make the short trip to Rockcorry.
Thursday’s Manor Farm U-14 Football League Division One Cup Final Replay in Castleblayney starts a packed weekend of juvenile finals. There are several Mallon’s Foods Under-16 Football, Manor Farm U-14 Football and Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-12 Football deciders in Blackhill, Castleblayney and Threemilehouse on Saturday and a Silver Hill Farm U-16 Hurling Final in Blayney on Sunday.
By cshalvey Thu 21st Sep
