Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals
Magheracloone v Scotstown, Sunday, 3.00, Clones
Ballybay v Clontibret, Sunday, 4.45 Clones
The SFC semi-finals are down for decision at St. Tiarnach’s Park on Sunday.
Two regulars at the latter stages of the championship clash when Ballybay meet Clontibret.
Ballybay are in the semi-finals for the seventh time in eight years, having had wins over Magheracloone and Truagh, either side of another narrow loss against holders Scotstown. Clontibret, who were in the final eight times between 2006 and 2016, missed out on the latter stages last year, but have returned to the semi-finals via front-door wins over Latton and Castleblayney, the latter after extra-time.
Conor McManus spearheads the Clontibret attack, with support from Michael O’Dowd and from further back, Vincent Corey, Dessie Mone, Conor Boyle and Brian Greenan. Ballybay will be looking to Paul Finlay, Dessie Ward, Colm Lennon and the McGuinness and Wylie siblings to lead the way.
Scotstown continue their four-in-a-row-bid when they take on Magheracloone in a repeat of last year’s decider.
Narrow wins over Carrickmacross and Ballybay have moved Scotstown within touching distance of a sixth consecutive SFC Final appearance, while Magheracloone lost to Ballybay before knocking out Carrick and Castleblayney, both by the narrowest of margins. Magheracloone have again belied their league position to launch a serious championship challenge.
Scotstown have strength in depth via the likes of Kieran and Darren Hughes, Conor McCarthy, Shane Carey and Ulster Footballer of the Year Rory Beggan, while Magheracloone will need Alan McCahey, Gavin Doogan, Paudie McMahon and Allan Kieran on top form.
McElvaney’s Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Round 3B
Corduff v Doohamlet, Saturday, 6.00, Inniskeen
Killanny v Tyholland, Saturday, 7.45, Inniskeen
The IFC semi-final line-up is set to be completed in Saturday’s double-header at Páirc Grattan.
First up is the meeting of Corduff and Doohamlet. Corduff saw off Killanny, only to lose after extra-time to Seán McDermotts last weekend, while IFL leaders Doohamlet have recovered from a narrow loss against Donaghmoyne to knock out Toome and Aughnamullen.
Colin and Jamie Walshe, Barry and Hugh McGinn and Barry McBennett are big players for Doohamlet, with Corduff relying on Fergal Hanratty, Keith McEnaney, Pádraic Keenan and Ciarán Brennan.
That is followed by the clash of Killanny and Tyholland. Killanny lost to Corduff, but got back on track at the expense of Blackhill, while Tyholland beat Currin and Blackhill, before falling short against Donaghmoyne. Killanny are four points clear of Tyholland in a crowded mid-table in the league.
Dean Connolly, Daryl Traynor, Gavin Flanagan, Eddie Walsh and Ronan and Tiernan Duffy are among the main men for Killanny, with Tyholland relying on county star Karl O’Connell, along with Dermot Coyle, Brian McArdle, Shane Treanor and Pádraig Finnan.
Silver Hill Farm Senior Hurling League Final
Castleblayney v Inniskeen, Sunday, 1.30, Aughnamullen
Castleblayney and Inniskeen contest Sunday’s SHL Final.
Having retained the SHC title in convincing style against Sunday’s opponents last month, Blayney are now seeking to complete back-to-back senior doubles. The holders had an unblemished record in the group stage, before seeing off St. Macartan’s in the semi-finals, while Inniskeen got the better of Inniskeen to progress.
Blayney’s hugely experienced team is full of current and former county players, including Mark and Peter Treanor, Fergal Rafter, Brian McGuigan, Brian Flanagan and Patrick Finnegan. Taidhg Campbell, Martin Murphy, Kevin Crawley, Pádraig McGahon and Pádraig Garland should backbone Inniskeen’s challenge.
The Shoe City Senior Football League continues this week with Truagh v Monaghan Harps on Saturday, Latton v Carrickmacross on Sunday and Castleblayney v Scotstown on Wednesday.
Clones and Cremartin face off in a repeat of last weekend’s JFC semi-final in the Eurotech Junior Football League Cup on Saturday, while Emyvale host Éire Óg on Sunday. The Shield fixtures see Killeevan host Scotstown on Saturday and Rockcorry face Truagh on Sunday.
The Mallon’s Foods U-17 Football Leagues also continue on Sunday, while there are Silver Hill Farm U-15 Hurling League Finals scheduled for mid-week.
By cshalvey Sat 22nd Sep
