Ulster U-17 Football Championship Preliminary Round
Derry v Monaghan, Saturday, 6.00, Celtic Park
A week after winning the Ulster U-17 Football League, Monaghan put their MFC hopes on the line in a preliminary-round tie away to Derry this Saturday.
Monaghan clinched the Jim McGuigan Cup with an impressive win over Donegal last Saturday and Séamus McEnaney’s side will be hoping to take that form into the championship. Derry reached the shield final, where they were edged out by Down after extra-time last week.
Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh, Andrew Moore, Aaron Mulligan, Seán Jones and Donnach Swinburne could play key roles for Monaghan, who will have goalkeeper Ryan Farrelly and corner-back Ronan Grimes available again after suspension. Enda Downey, Eunan McElhennon and Conleth McGuckin could be among the main players for Derry, who have been a strong force at underage level, including last year’s Ulster MFC.
Inniskeen host Castleblayney in the Senior Football League on Friday night, while Sunday’s games see joint-leaders Scotstown, Clontibret and Carrickmacross face Monaghan Harps, Latton and Ballybay, respectively, with Magheracloone and Truagh both chasing their first points when they clash.
Toome are the only team on ten points ahead of round three of the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League, where they travel to Corduff on Sunday. Aughnamullen make the short trip to Doohamlet, while Donaghmoyne and Tyholland go to promoted sides Seán McDermotts and Currin, respectively, with Blackhill (the only team yet to pick up any points) up against Killanny.
Eurotech Junior Football League joint-leaders Cremartin and Éire Óg face off on Sunday, while Emyvale and Clones are at home to Drumhowan and Oram, respectively, and there is a local derby between Killeevan and Aghabog. Saturday’s games also feature a derby – Truagh v Scotstown – as well as the meeting of Rockcorry and Corduff.
There are two Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League fixtures on Wednesday: Doohamlet v Seán McDermotts in Division 2A and Monaghan Harps v Corduff in Division 2B.
The Silver Hill Farm Development Hurling League gets underway on Thursday evening. Castleblayney are at home to Craobh Rua, Camlough, with Monaghan Harps meeting Clontibret and new entrants Mattock Rangers (Louth) travelling to Carrickmacross.
The Connolly Meats Minor Football League group stages reach the final round this week.
Magheracloone and Castleblayney have secured the top two places in Division One Group A ahead of their meeting on Tuesday, when the other game is between Carrickmacross and Latton. Group B leaders Donaghmoyne are away to Aughnamullen, while St. Patrick’s welcome Monaghan Harps to Drumhowan.
It’s tight in Division Two Group A, where front-runners Clontibret host Éire Óg and Doohamlet take on St. Tiarnach Sarsfields. There are still a couple of postponed games to be rearranged in Group B, where this week’s schedule consists of Emyvale v Tyholland on Tuesday and Killanny v Seán McDermotts on Thursday.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile football competitions also continue this week, while the Silver Hill U-17 Hurling League gets underway on Monday.
By cshalvey Sat 21st Apr
