Allianz National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Tyrone, Saturday, 7.00, Castleblayney
Monaghan continue their Allianz NFL campaign with a local derby against Tyrone under lights at Castleblayney on Saturday evening.
Having been edged out at home to Mayo in round one, Monaghan have bounced back with wins over Kildare and Kerry moving them up the table to third ahead of a first floodlit league game at St. Mary’s Park. Tyrone lost their opening games against Dublin and Galway, but they got an important win away to Kildare last time out.
Monaghan have one change to their team that pipped Kerry, with Ryan Wylie returning at corner-back in place of the suspended Barry Kerr. Tyrone have six changes from Newbridge, with Michael McKernan, Ronan McNamee, Kieran McGeary, Colm Cavanagh, Cónall McCann and Richard Donnelly in for Hugh Pat McGeary, Tiernan McCann, Rory Brennan, Ciarán McLaughlin, Cathal McShane and Pádraig McNulty.
Monaghan will need the likes of Conor McManus, Darren Hughes, Colin Walshe, Karl O’Connell and the Wylie brothers on form, while Mattie Donnelly, Peter Harte, Colm Cavanagh Niall Sludden and Lee Brennan are key to Tyrone’s chances.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Colin Walshe (Capt.), Conor Boyle, Ryan Wylie; Dessie Mone, Drew Wylie, Karl O’Connell; Darren Hughes, Niall Kearns; Paudie McKenna, Dermot Malone, Dessie Ward; Jack McCarron, Thomas Kerr, Conor McManus.
Subs: Shane Garland, Kieran Duffy, Páraic McGuirk, Vincent Corey, Fintan Kelly, Neil McAdam, Ryan McAnespie, Owen Duffy, David Garland, Conor McCarthy, Micheál Bannigan.
Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Michael McKernan, Ronan McNamee, Cathal McCarron; Conor Meyler, Pádraig Hampsey, Kieran McGeary; Colm Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly (Capt.); Cónall McCann, Niall Sludden, Peter Harte; Lee Brennan, Richard Donnelly, Connor McAliskey.
Subs: Mickey O’Neill, Mark Bradley, Rory Brennan, Frank Burns, Aidan McCrory, Darren McCurry, Hugh Pat McGeary, Ronan McNabb, Pádraig McNulty, David Mulgrew, Ronan O’Neill.
Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A
Warwickshire v Monaghan, Saturday, 2.45, Páirc na hÉireann, Birmingham
Monaghan cross the Irish Sea on Saturday for round four of the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A against Warwickshire at Páirc na hÉireann, Birmingham.
Monaghan saw their unbeaten record slip away at home to Tyrone last Sunday, while Warwickshire are in a share of first place with Roscommon after they drew with Louth. The Exiles lost the 2017 NHL Division 3B Final against Longford, but they finished the year with silverware via the Lory Meagher Cup.
Monaghan will need Fergal Rafter to continue his scoring form, with the support of Mark and Peter Treanor, Brian McGuigan, Martin Murphy and Jamie Guinan against a Warwickshire side led by Niall McKenna, Ian Dwyer, Paul Hoban, Paul Uniacke and Shane Caulfield.
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Donegal, Sunday, 2.00, Clones
Monaghan’s ladies’ footballers host Donegal on Sunday in a repeat of last year’s Ulster final.
Having lost their opening two games against Galway and Cork, Monaghan got off the mark with a hard-earned win over Kerry last weekend. Ulster champions Donegal lost to Dublin, drew with Galway and ran out comprehensive winners in their refixture against Westmeath.
Annmarie Burns has made one change in personnel to the Monaghan team, with Edel Corrigan coming in for Linda Martin in goals. The hosts will need big performances from experienced players such as the McAnespies and the Courtneys, while Donegal can call on the likes of the prolific Yvonne Bonner, Niamh and Ciara Hegarty, Karen Guthrie and Katy Herron.
Monaghan: Edel Corrigan; Rachel McKenna, Hazel Kingham, Josie Fitzpatrick; Aoife McAnespie, Sharon Courtney, Shauna Coyle; Hannah McSkeane, Muireann Atkinson; Eimear McAnespie, Katie Duffy, Rosemary Courtney; Eva Woods, Cora Courtney, Ciara McAnespie.
Donegal: Laura Gallagher; Treasa Doherty, Nicole McLaughlin, Olive McCafferty; Anna Marie McGlynn, Ciara Hegarty, Aoife McDonnell; Katy Herron, Emer Gallagher; Karen Guthrie, Niamh Hegarty, Bláthnaid McLoughlin; Bridget Gallagher, Yvonne Bonner, Sarah Jane McDonald.
By cshalvey Sat 24th Feb
