Previews

Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Final

Ballybay v Scotstown, Sunday, 3.30, Clones

Sunday’s SFC Final pits four-in-a-row chasers Scotstown against league champions Ballybay.

Both of these clubs have returned to the fore in the senior ranks in recent times, particularly Scotstown, who have won four SFC titles since ending a 20-year wait in 2013, with their current three-in-a-row putting them second in the roll of honour ahead of Clontibret. Ballybay’s 2012 breakthrough ended their 25-year run without winning the Mick Duffy Cup, while they have been semi-finalists in seven of the last eight years. Scotstown memorably came from a seemingly impossible position to stun Ballybay at the semi-final stage last year, when a late burst saw the holders wipe out an eight-point deficit and force a replay, which they won en route to retaining the title.

Ballybay recovered from their championship disappointment to retain the SFL at the end of 2017, beating Scotstown in the final. Both sides have again been consistently in the top four this year, while their league meetings have seen Scotstown claim full points.

Scotstown have taken the direct route to a sixth straight SFC Final via narrow wins over Carrickmacross, Ballybay and Magheracloone. Ballybay’s opening-round win against Magheracloone was followed by a loss to Scotstown, but they have regrouped to knock out Truagh and Clontibret to finally reach their first championship decider in six years.

Scotstown can call on the likes of Rory Beggan, Darren and Kieran Hughes, Conor McCarthy, Shane Carey and Damien McArdle, while Ballybay will be looking to Paul Finlay, Drew and Ryan Wylie, Colm Lennon, Dessie Ward, Thomas Kerr and Christopher and Shane McGuinness.

Maguire International Minor Football Championship Division One Final

Carrickmacross v Inniskeen, Sunday, 1.30, Clones

Sunday’s curtain-raiser in Clones sees Carrickmacross and Inniskeen contest the MFC Division One Final.

Inniskeen are hoping to claim this championship for the first time in five decades, a year after winning a thrilling top-flight league final against Aughnamullen. The Grattans have made their way to this stage with hard-earned wins over Monaghan Harps and a highly-rated Aughnamullen side that also contested the league decider. Carrickmacross made their way to another final via narrow wins in high-scoring derbies against Donaghmoyne and league winners Magheracloone.

Carrick will hope that Donnach Swinburne, Andrew Moore, Jack McGeown, Oisín O’Hanlon, Tiarnán McCourt and Tadgh Kirk-Callaghan can lead the way, while Inniskeen’s main players include Andrew Woods, Seán Jones, Shane Hanratty and Pádraig McGahon.

McElvaney’s Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Finals

Donaghmoyne v Doohamlet, Saturday, 3.00, Castleblayney

Seán McDermotts v Tyholland, Saturday, 4.45, Castleblayney

The IFC semi-finals take place in a double-header in Castleblayney on Saturday.

First up is the rematch of Donaghmoyne and Doohamlet. Donaghmoyne won narrowly when the sides met at the same venue in the first round and they went on to see off Tyholland to take the direct route to this stage. Doohamlet have recovered to knock out Toome, Aughnamullen and Corduff (the latter after extra-time). These teams have both played in senior football in recent years and they currently share first place in the IFL.

Colin and Jamie Walshe, Barry and Hugh McGinn and Barry McBennett are key players for Doohamlet, with Donaghmoyne needing big performances from Stephen Finnegan, Pádraig Donaghy, Stephen Martin and Francis Markey, particularly with injury set to keep David Garland out.

Next up is a north-Monaghan derby between Seán McDermotts and Tyholland.

Last year’s JFC runners-up Seán McDermotts have claimed two extra-time victories so far at the expense of Aughnamullen and Corduff, while they sit mid-table in the league. Tyholland are yet to secure their IFL status, but they started the championship with wins over Currin and Blackhill and although they lost to Donaghmoyne, they squeezed past Killanny after two bouts of extra-time last time out.

The Seáns feature new All-Star nominee Niall Kearns, as well as Páraic McGuirk, Brian McQuaid, Pat Kieran and Damien Larkin, with Tyholland relying on county star Karl O’Connell, along with Dermot Coyle, Brian McArdle, Shane Treanor and Pádraig Finnan.

The Shoe City Senior Football League continues on Saturday with Latton hosting Magheracloone.

The final round of the Eurotech Junior Football League Cup takes place on Saturday. JFC winners Emyvale travel to Drumhowan, while beaten championship finalists Cremartin bid to return to winning ways when they host Aghabog. Table-toppers Clones make the short trip to Smithborough to face Éire Óg.

Meanwhile, the Eurotech Junior Football League Shield semi-final sees Scotstown and Killeevan battle it out for the right to face Oram.

There are games in all three divisions of the Mallon’s Foods U-17 Football Leagues on Sunday.