Previews

Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Final

Cremartin v Emyvale, Sunday, 4.00, Scotstown

Two of the leaders in the JFC roll of honour clash when Cremartin and Emyvale contest Sunday’s Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship final.

These clubs have won the JFC 11 times between them, with Cremartin level with Drumhowan on six titles and Emyvale one of three clubs to have won it five times each. Both are searching for their third success since the turn of the century, with Cremartin having won it in 2004 and 2011 and Emyvale doing likewise in 2009 and 2013. Cremartin went on to fall short in two Ulster Club JFC finals, while Emyvale went all the way in the provincial junior championship both times they entered it.

The comparisons don’t stop there, as these teams were both relegated from the intermediate ranks last year and they have taken the direct route to Sunday’s final. Cremartin have seen off Oram, Scotstown, Éire Óg and Clones to date, while Emyvale proved too potent for Drumhowan, Clones, Killeevan and Oram.

Both sides have also been consistently near the top of the league, where they currently share second place in the post-split Cup section. The teams played out a draw in Emyvale back in May, before Cremartin claimed a four-point win over their north-Monaghan visitors in July.

Cremartin can call on the likes of Barry Kerr, David Hanley, Damien Lavelle, Declan Farrell, Ronan Burke, Niall Flanagan and Mark Magee, while Emyvale will be looking for big performances from Ryan McAnespie, Daniel McMahon, David and Robbie McAlister, Garreth McQuaid, Colin Hughes and Gregory Devlin.

Maguire Transport Minor Football Championship Division Two Final

Doohamlet v Seán McDermotts, Sunday, 2.00, Scotstown

The MFC Division Two Final is the curtain-raiser to the JFC decider in Scotstown on Sunday.

Doohamlet and Seán McDermotts are the teams battling it out for the title. Doohamlet are bidding to complete a double after lifting the league silverware a month ago against a St. Mary’s Na Mullaí team that had edged past the Seáns at the semi-final stage. Doohamlet have seen off St. Mary’s Na Mullaí, Emyvale and Truagh to reach this stage, while wins over Cremartin and Clontibret have earned the Seáns a place in the final.

Doohamlet can call on some of their Division Three champions from 2017, including Oisín O’Neill and Seán Markey, who have been featuring in their IFC run, while they are boosted by the inclusion of a couple of Oram players, like Hugh Brennan and county minor forward Jason Irwin. Doohamlet also got the better of the Seáns in an U-16 Division Three Shield Final last year, but the likes of James Clerkin will hope to take this trophy to Threemilehouse.

Mallon’s Foods U-17 Football Championship Division One Final

Donaghmoyne v Latton, Sunday, 12.00, Drumhowan

Donaghmoyne and Latton contest the U-17 FC Division One Final in Drumhowan on Sunday.

Donaghmoyne have knocked out Killanny and Castleblayney, while Latton needed a replay to shake off Monaghan Harps, before turning over last year’s U-16 champions Carrickmacross at the semi-final stage. The teams currently share second place in the league.

Liam McDonald, Declan Courtney, David Kerley, Joshua Wilson should be among the main players for Donaghmoyne, who can also call on some Corduff players like Jordan McGarrell. Latton’s star turn is Aaron Mulligan, who was named in the Minor Football Team of the Year after his performances in Monaghan’s Ulster-winning campaign, while Darragh Dempsey, Eoin Duffy, Shane Slevin and Kevin Fitzpatrick could also play key roles.

Mallon’s Foods U-17 Football Championship Division Three Final

Clontibret v Truagh, Sunday, 12.00, Monaghan

The U-17 Division Three title is up for grabs at Gavan Duffy Park on Sunday.

Clontibret are top of the league with five straight wins and they have seen off Seán McDermotts and Cremartin in the championship, while Truagh (currently second in the table) knocked out Doohamlet and Tyholland. Darren McMahon and Patrick Keenan should be to the fore for Clontibret against a Truagh side led by Christopher Flood, alongside the likes of Cian and Conor Maguire.

The Shoe City Senior Football League continues on Saturday. Leaders Carrickmacross will hope to get back to winning ways when they host Clontibret, while SFC holders Scotstown repeat last week’s semi-final against Magheracloone and the other fixtures are Castleblayney v Truagh and Inniskeen v Monaghan Harps.

Eurotech Junior Football League Cup front-runners Drumhowan are away to nearest challengers Clones on Saturday, while the Shield sees Killeevan travel to table-toppers Oram.