Allianz National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Donegal, Sunday, 2.00, Clones
Monaghan bid to return to winning ways in the Allianz NFL when they host Donegal in Clones on Sunday.
Having been edged out at home to Mayo in round one, Monaghan bounced back with three consecutive wins over Kildare, Kerry and Tyrone moving them up the table to third, where they remain even after losing to Galway last Sunday. Donegal have only picked up two points so far at the expense of Kildare, while they have lost to Dublin, Kerry, Galway and Tyrone, albeit with a couple of encouraging performances while fielding youthful teams under new manager Declan Bonner.
Monaghan have four changes to their team that lost out in Salthill, with Colin Walshe, Drew Wylie, Dessie Ward and Dermot Malone coming in for Vincent Corey, Neil McAdam, Páraic McGuirk and the suspended Fintan Kelly.
Monaghan will need the likes of Walshe, Conor McManus, Ryan and Drew Wylie and the recently returned Kieran Hughes to lead the way, while Donegal will be looking to Michael Murphy, Ryan McHugh, Odhrán Mac Niallais and Eoghan Bán Gallagher, particularly if injury rules out in-form forward Paddy McBrearty.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Colin Walshe (Capt.), Conor Boyle, Kieran Duffy; Ryan Wylie, Drew Wylie, Karl O’Connell; Kieran Hughes, Niall Kearns; Dessie Ward, Dermot Malone, Ryan McAnespie; Jack McCarron, Micheál Bannigan, Conor McManus.
Subs: Shane Garland, Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey, Barry Kerr, Neil McAdam, Darren Hughes, Paudie McKenna, Thomas Kerr, Owen Duffy, David Garland, Conor McCarthy.
Monaghan continue their Ulster U-17 Football League campaign against Cavan in a rescheduled game at Inniskeen on Wednesday evening. Monaghan started off with a win over Armagh, led by the likes of Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh, Aaron Mulligan, Seán Jones and Andrew Moore, while Cavan will bid to get off the mark after losing to Down.
The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues continue over the St. Patrick’s weekend. Truagh host Donaghmoyne in Division 1A on Saturday, while on Sunday, it’s Scotstown v Magheracloone; and Clontibret v Latton. The Division 1B fixtures are all on Saturday: Aughnamullen v Cremartin; Killanny v Emyvale; and Monaghan Harps v Castleblayney. Division 2A continues on Saturday with Drumhowan and Seán McDermotts hosting Doohamlet and Ballybay, respectively, while Blackhill travel to Carrickmacross on Sunday. The Division 2B games are on Monday: Éire Óg v Clones; and Tyholland v Monaghan Harps, while in Division Three, Oram face Currin on Saturday and Rockcorry play Seán McDermotts on Monday.
The Minor Football Leagues get underway on Monday. In Division One Group A, the fixtures are Inniskeen v Magheracloone; and Castleblayney v Carrickmacross, while Group B sees St. Patrick’s travel to Donaghmoyne. Division Two Group A starts with Cremartin and St. Tiarnach Sarsfields at home to Doohamlet and Clontibret, respectively, while the Group B fixtures are Seán McDermotts v Emyvale; and Truagh v Killanny.
By cshalvey Sat 17th Mar
