Previews

Nicky Rackard Cup Semi-Final

Donegal v Monaghan, Saturday, 1.00, Owenbeg

Monaghan travel to Owenbeg in Derry for an all-Ulster pairing Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final against Donegal.

Monaghan finished second in Group 2 after a win over Longford, a loss to Warwickshire and a second draw of the year with Louth. Donegal haven’t gone beyond the semi-finals of this competition since they went all the way in 2013, but they had a good league campaign, earning three wins in Division IIB, before easily defeating Tyrone and Leitrim to head Group 1. These teams have met regularly in the knock-out stage of this competition of late, with Donegal emerging on top four times between 2013 and 2016, before Monaghan reversed that last May.

Davin Flynn, Danny Cullen, Lee Henderson, Ciarán Matthewson and former Armagh forward Declan Coulter are central to Donegal’s chances, while Monaghan need big performances from Mark and Peter Treanor, Éamonn Collins and Fergal Rafter.

TG4 Ulster Ladies Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

Donegal v Monaghan, Saturday, 7.00, Omagh

Monaghan take on holders Donegal in the Ulster Ladies SFC semi-finals at Healy Park on Saturday evening.

2016 champions Monaghan lost to Donegal in the Ulster Final last year and they had to battle to stay up in Division One of the NFL this spring. Donegal, who defeated Monaghan during that league campaign, finished just outside the semi-final places.

Monaghan will need big performances from experienced players such as the McAnespies, the Courtneys and Ellen McCarron. Donegal can call on prolific duo Geraldine McLoughlin and Yvonne Bonner, along with Niamh and Ciara Hegarty, Karen Guthrie and Katy Herron. Armagh await the winners in the provincial decider.

Shoe City Senior Football League leaders Carrickmacross make the short trip to Magheracloone on Friday evening, while nearest challengers Scotstown host Inniskeen. Holders Ballybay go to Monaghan Harps, while Latton have home advantage against Truagh.

It’s top v bottom in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League on Friday when Doohamlet make the short journey to Blackhill. Friday’s other fixtures are Currin v Corduff and Tyholland v Aughnamullen. Seán McDermotts host Toome on Saturday, while Donaghmoyne and Killanny face off on Sunday.

Friday’s Eurotech Junior Football League fixtures are Oram v Aghabog and Drumhowan v Scotstown. Joint-leaders Clones, Cremartin and Emyvale face Rockcorry, Truagh and Killeevan, respectively, on Saturday.

front-runners Cremartin are away to Rockcorry on Wednesday, with Éire Óg hosting Emyvale and Clones travelling to Drumhowan. Aghabog host Truagh, with Scotstown up against Corduff.

Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship McKeown Cup Final

Inniskeen v Oram, Sunday, 3.00, Blackhill

The first of this year’s Platinum Tanks RFC Finals takes place in Blackhill on Sunday, with Inniskeen and Oram batting it out for the McKeown Cup.

Oram have seen off Seán McDermotts and Rockcorry to reach this final, while Inniskeen qualified via a comprehensive win over Currin. Inniskeen have also won all five of their league games to sit top of Division Three, eight points clear of Oram. Inniskeen could be able to call on the likes of Ronan Meegan, Ciarán McNulty, Aidan Woods and Séamus Kindlon, with Oram depending on Jason McDonald, Danny Lynch, Seán Graham and Rory Murphy.

The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship O’Duffy Cup semi-finals are down for decision on Sunday, with holders Scotstown up against Clontibret and Latton facing Monaghan Harps. It’s also semi-final day in the Crawley Cup, where Doohamlet host Éire Óg and Corduff go to neighbours Carrickmacross.

The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues continue on Wednesday. Division 1A leaders Scotstown face neighbours Truagh, while Donaghmoyne and Magheracloone host Clontibret and Latton, respectively. Division 1B front-runners Castleblayney and Killanny are up against Emyvale and Aughnamullen, respectively, with Cremartin at home to Monaghan Harps. In Division 2A, there is a meeting of two of the three joint-leaders, Ballybay and Drumhowan, and another local derby between Blackhill and Doohamlet, while Seán McDermotts travel to Carrickmacross. The top two also clash in Division 2B when Corduff host Éire Óg. The Division Three fixtures include a repeat of Sunday’s McKeown Cup Final between Oram and Inniskeen, as well as the meeting of Rockcorry and Currin.

The Silver Hill Farm Development Hurling League reaches the semi-final stage on Thursday, with Craobh Rua, Camlough and Mattock Rangers hosting Castleblayney and Clontibret, respectively.

The juvenile competitions also continue this week, with U-13 Football and Hurling Championship action on the agenda and the new U-11 Football Liam Stirrat Development League getting underway.