Ulster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
Fermanagh v Monaghan, Sunday, 2.00, Omagh
Monaghan take on Fermanagh in the first of this year’s Ulster SFC semi-finals at Healy Park on Sunday.
Monaghan return to the venue where they dethroned two-in-a-row provincial champions Tyrone last time out, while Fermanagh go into this game on the back of a good win over Armagh. Both teams enjoyed good league campaigns this spring, with Monaghan finishing third in Division One and Fermanagh securing a quick return to Division Two.
Monaghan saw off their near-neighbours in the preliminary round 12 months ago, although Fermanagh have been strengthened this year by some key players being brought back into the set-up by Rory Gallagher and Ryan McMenamin. Both counties have named unchanged starting teams, although Malachy O’Rourke has made a few positional switches to the Monaghan side.
Monaghan will be looking for Conor McManus, Rory Beggan, Karl O’Connell and the Hughes and Wylie brothers to lead the way, while Fermanaghwill need big performances from Seán and Séamus Quigley, Eoin Donnelly, Ryan Jones and Aidan Breen.
Fermanagh: Patrick Cadden; Kane Connor, Che Cullen, Michael Jones; Barry Mulrone, James McMahon, Lee Cullen; Eoin Donnelly, Ryan Jones; Paul McCusker, Declan McCusker, Aidan Breen; Seán Quigley, Cónall Jones, Séamus Quigley.
Subs: Thomas Treacy, Cian McManus, Ciarán Corrigan, Éamon McHugh, Tomás Clarke, Ruairí Corrigan, Daniel Teague, Tomás Corrigan, Ryan Lyons, Eamon Maguire, Ryan McCluskey.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey, Fintan Kelly; Darren Hughes, Karl O’Connell; Kieran Hughes, Niall Kearns, Dessie Ward; Ryan McAnespie, Jack McCarron, Conor McManus.
Subs: Conor Forde, Conor Boyle, Barry Kerr, Colin Walshe (Capt.), Neil McAdam, Paudie McKenna, Dermot Malone, Owen Duffy, Conor McCarthy, David Garland, Shane Carey.
Nicky Rackard Cup Group 1
Louth v Monaghan, Saturday, 1.00, Dowdallshill, Dundalk
A semi-final place is within touching distance for Monaghan when they make the short trip to Dundalk to play Louth in round three on Saturday.
Another narrow loss for Monaghan away to Warwickshire – their second in Birmingham this year – meant they couldn’t add to their opening win over Longford, but they are still well in contention to progress. Louth drew in Castleblayney on their way to the Allianz Hurling League Division IIIA Final, but after losing to Warwickshire in that decider, they have been unable to earn a point yet in this group.
Mark and Peter Treanor, Éamonn Collins and Fergal Rafter have been to the fore for Monaghan, with Louth needing big games from Paddy Lynch, David Kettle, Gerard Smyth and Shane Callan, particularly in the absence of Niall and Gerry Arthur after the Clare natives were ruled ineligible.
By cshalvey Sat 2nd Jun
