Nicky Rackard Cup Group 1 Round 3
Monaghan v Warwickshire, Saturday, 1.00, Inniskeen
Monaghan will hope to get off the mark in the Nicky Rackard Cup when they face Warwickshire in Inniskeen on Saturday.
2018 runners-up Warwickshire, who retained their Allianz Hurling League Division IIB status via a play-off win over Christy Ring newcomers Donegal, took three points from their opening two games. The Exiles finished strongly to pip Longford, before grabbing a late goal to draw with Armagh. Monaghan are out of contention after letting promising positions slip against both Armagh and Longford. Warwickshire have had a couple of narrow wins when these sides have met in recent years.
Warwickshire will hope to have players like Niall Kennedy, Ian Dwyer, John Collins, Emmet McCabe and Kelvin Magee available to lead their challenge. Monaghan will need big performances from the likes of Fergal Rafter, Mark and Peter Treanor and Taidhg Campbell.
The weekend’s club schedule centres around the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football, including championship semi-finals. O’Duffy Cup holders Scotstown host Truagh on Friday, while Magheracloone meet Castleblayney. The Crawley Cup fixtures are Carrickmacross v Doohamlet and Inniskeen v Drumhowan. The McKeown Cup semis are down for decision on Sunday, when Scotstown and Truagh host Oram and Castleblayney, respectively.
There are also games in all divisions of the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Leagues.
The last round of group games of the Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League takes centre stage on Thursday. Leaders Castleblayney host Monaghan Harps, while two of their nearest challengers, Clontibret and Carrickmacross, face off. Latton and Truagh have home advantage against East Cavan Gaels and Mattock Rangers, respectively.
With the U-17 and U-15 Football Leagues taking a break, the juvenile action continues at U-13 level.
By cshalvey Fri 31st May
