Previews

Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Round 3B

Castleblayney v Magheracloone, Friday, 8.15, Inniskeen

Ballybay v Truagh, Saturday, 7.30, Emyvale

The SFC semi-final line-up is set to be completed this weekend.

First up is Castleblayney v Magheracloone in Inniskeen on Friday night.

Blayney beat Inniskeen and Truagh, before being pipped in extra-time by Clontibret, while Magheracloone bounced back from losing to Ballybay to knock out SFL leaders Carrickmacross last weekend. The Faughs are four places and eight points ahead of the Mitchells in the SFL.

Dermot and Fergal Malone, Martin McElroy, Barry Hanratty and Mark Treanor could lead the way for Blayney, with Gavin Doogan, Alan McCahey, Paudie McMahon and Allan Kieran central to Magheracloone’s chances.

Emyvale hosts Saturday’s knock-out tie between Ballybay and Truagh.

Ballybay beat Magheracloone in the first round, but fell just short of holders Scotstown last week, while Truagh have had a big win over Monaghan Harps and a nervy win against Inniskeen, either side of a loss to Castleblayney. Both of these sides are comfortably in the top half of the league.

Truagh will need Paudie and Christopher McKenna, Oran McElligott and Adam Treanor on form, while Ballybay will be looking to Paul Finlay, Dessie Ward and the McGuinness and Wylie siblings.

McElvaney Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Round 2B

Blackhill v Killanny, Saturday, 4.00, Castleblayney

Aughnamullen v Doohamlet, Saturday, 5.45, Castleblayney

The weekend’s IFC action begins with a double-header in Castleblayney on Saturday.

Blackhill need to win against Killanny, not only to stay in the IFC, but to maintain their hopes of remaining in the Intermediate ranks. Blackhill put their IFL form aside to defeat Toome convincingly in the preliminary round, but they were left to rue conceding four goals when losing to Tyholland last time out. Killanny’s only championship game to date this year saw them lose to Corduff.

Philip Donnelly, Michael and Tommy Geehan, James Daly and Ryan and Dónal Courtney are key to Blackhill’s chances, with Dean Connolly, Daryl Traynor, Gavin Flanagan, Eddie Walsh and Ronan and Tiernan Duffy likewise for Killanny.

That is followed by an all mid-Monaghan clash between Aughnamullen and Doohamlet.

2017 beaten finalists Aughnamullen were pipped in extra-time by Seán McDermotts, but got back on track against Currin, while Doohamlet fell just short against Donaghmoyne, before easing past Toome. Doohamlet sit top of the IFL table, while a good recent run has pushed Aughnamullen into the top four.

Colin and Jamie Walshe, Barry and Hugh McGinn and Barry McBennett are big players for Doohamlet, with Micheál Bannigan, Pete and Sam Dooney and Kevin Sheridan among the main men for Aughnamullen.

McElvaney Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Round 2A

Corduff v Seán McDermotts, Sunday, 1.00, Monaghan

Donaghmoyne v Tyholland, Sunday, 2.45, Monaghan

The first two IFC semi-final places are up for grabs at Gavan Duffy Park on Sunday.

Corduff face Seán McDermotts in part one of this double-bill. Corduff were too strong for Killanny in the first round, while the Seáns needed extra-time to get past Aughnamullen. Having been promoted last year, the Seáns are six points clear of the relegation zone, four points behind Corduff.

Corduff should be able to call on Fergal Hanratty, Keith McEnaney, Pádraic Keenan and Ciarán Brennan, while the Seáns feature new All-Star nominee Niall Kearns, as well as Páraic McGuirk, Brian McQuaid and James Treanor.

Donaghmoyne and Tyholland then go head to head.

Donaghmoyne pipped league leaders Doohamlet in their IFC opener, while Tyholland already have two championship wins to their credit at the expense of Currin and Blackhill. Donaghmoyne are second in the league, six places above Sunday’s opponents.

David Garland, Stephen Finnegan, Pádraig Donaghy and Francis Markey are key men for Donaghmoyne, with Tyholland relying on county star Karl O’Connell, along with Dermot Coyle, Brian McArdle, Shane Treanor and Pádraig Finnan.

Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Semi-Finals

Emyvale v Oram, Sunday, 4.00, Scotstown

Clones v Cremartin, Sunday, 5.45, Scotstown

The JFC semi-finals are down for decision in Scotstown on Sunday.

Emyvale face Oram in the first game. Emyvale have reached this stage with ease via wins over Drumhowan, Clones and Killeevan, while Oram recovered from a first-round loss to Cremartin to knock out Truagh, Scotstown and Killeevan. Emyvale topped the league pre-split, while Oram are currently leading the way in the Shield section.

Ulster All-Star Ryan McAnespie is a leading light for Emyvale, who can also call on Daniel McMahon, David McAlister and Colin Hughes. Oram will need big performances from Pauric Graham, Jason McDonald, John Mone and Chris McGeough.

Clones contest their third consecutive JFC semi-final against Cremartin.

Clones are bidding to make it through to the decider at the third attempt, while Cremartin are targeting a quick return to the Intermediate grade. Despite losing to Emyvale, Clones have won four games in their JFC run: seeing off Aghabog, Corduff, Rockcorry and Éire Óg. Cremartin have had a slightly less taxing route, defeating Oram, Scotstown and Éire Óg. Both of these teams are in the Cup section of the JFL, where Cremartin are in a share of first place.

Clones can call on county panellists Fintan Kelly, Darren Freeman and James Mealiff, along with Adrian Alford, Eoin McQuaid and Cameron Dowd, while Cremartin are depending on the likes of Barry Kerr, David Hanley, Ryan McVicar and Mark Magee.

The Shoe City Senior Football League resumes on Sunday with Clontibret v Inniskeen and the meeting of the top two when Carrickmacross travel to Scotstown.

Meanwhile, Drumhowan host Aghabog in the Eurotech Junior Football League Cup, with the Shield fixture seeing Killeevan face Truagh.

The Mallon’s Foods U-17 Football Championship semi-finals also take place on Sunday. The Division One pairings are Donaghmoyne v Castleblayney and Carrickmacross v Latton, while the Division Two fixtures are St. Patrick’s v Scotstown and Clann na nGael v Emyvale. In Division Three, Cremartin and Truagh host Clontibret and Tyholland, respectively.