Allianz National Football League Division One
Dublin v Monaghan, Sunday, 3.00, Croke Park
Monaghan close their Allianz NFL campaign against unbeaten Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday.
Monaghan sit third in the table, having won four of their six games at the expense of Kildare, Kerry, Tyrone and Donegal, while losing to Mayo and Galway. Dublin share first place and are already through to a sixth consecutive Division One Final after they beat Kildare, Tyrone, Donegal, Mayo and Kerry, before they played out a dramatic draw with fellow finalists Galway last Sunday.
Monaghan have named an unchanged team from the one that defeated Donegal last weekend, with Fintan Kelly taking his place on the list of substitutes after serving a one-match suspension. Dublin will be without the suspended Eoghan O’Gara, club-tied dual star Con O’Callaghan and Bernard Brogan and Jack McCaffrey, who are on the long-term injury list.
The All-Ireland champions still have a conveyor belt of talent, with Ciarán Kilkenny in fine form in attack, along with the likes of Dean Rock, Niall Scully and Colm Basquel. Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Philly McMahon and Jonny Cooper are other key men for the Dubs, who could welcome Stephen Cluxton back among a few who sat out last weekend’s game.
Monaghan will need the likes of Conor McManus, Drew Wylie, Karl O’Connell and Darren and Kieran Hughes to lead the way as they bid to finish the league on a high.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Colin Walshe (Capt.), Conor Boyle, Kieran Duffy; Barry Kerr, Drew Wylie, Karl O’Connell; Darren Hughes, Niall Kearns; Dessie Ward, Dermot Malone, Ryan McAnespie; David Garland, Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus.
Subs: Shane Garland, Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey, Ryan Wylie, Neil McAdam, Paudie McKenna, Fintan Kelly, Thomas Kerr, Owen Duffy, Jack McCarron, Conor McCarthy.
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division One
Monaghan v Westmeath, Sunday, 1,00, Clones
Monaghan’s ladies’ footballers host Westmeath in Clones on Sunday.
Having lost their opening two games against Galway and Cork, Monaghan got off the mark with a hard-earned win over Kerry, only to lose out in a repeat of last year’s Ulster final against Donegal prior to the weather-extended break. Westmeath have yet to earn a point since being promoted last year. The hosts will need big performances from experienced players such as the McAnespies and the Courtneys as they bid to return to winning ways.
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.
Westmeath: Karen Walsh; Rachel Dillon, Amie Giles, Nicole Feery; Fiona Coyle, Jennie Rogers, Laura Brennan; Karen McDermott, Fiona Claffey; Johanna Maher, Maud Annie Foley, Lucy McCartan; Karen Hegarty, Laura Lee Walsh, Kelly Boyce Jordan.
Monaghan continue their Ulster U-17 Football League campaign against Down at Inniskeen on Saturday at 12 noon. Monaghan have started off with wins over Armagh and Cavan, led by the likes of Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh, Aaron Mulligan, Seán Jones, Donnach Swinburne and Andrew Moore, while Down beat Cavan, before losing to Armagh.
This game is followed at 2pm by the Buncrana Cup game between the U-16s of Monaghan and Tyrone.
The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues continue on Saturday.
Division 1A sees Clontibret, Latton and Truagh host Donaghmoyne, Magheracloone and Scotstown, respectively, while in Division 1B, there are home games for Aughnamullen, Castleblayney and Monaghan Harps against Killanny, Emyvale and Cremartin. The Division 2A fixtures are Doohamlet v Blackhill; Drumhowan v Ballybay; and Seán McDermotts v Carrickmacross, while the only game in Division 2B sees Corduff travel to Smithborough to face Éire Óg. In Division Three, Inniskeen and Currin have home advantage against Oram and Rockcorry, respectively.
Round two in the Minor Football Leagues gets underway on Monday with the Division Two Group B game between Tyholland and Seán McDermotts. The rest of the games are on Tuesday evening, including Carrickmacross v Inniskeen and Latton v Castleblayney in Division One Group A. Group B sees Monaghan Harps and St. Patrick’s host Donaghmoyne and Scotstown, respectively, while in Division Two Group A, there are local derbies between Éire Óg and St. Tiarnach Sarsfields and Clontibret and Cremartin. There is also a derby in Group B, with Truagh making the short journey to Emyvale.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions get underway on Saturday, with games in all divisions of the new U-13 Football Leagues.
By cshalvey Sat 24th Mar
