All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifiers Round 4B

Down v Monaghan, Saturday, 5.00, Croke Park

Monaghan will bid to qualify for a fourth All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final in five years when they renew rivalries with Down at Croke Park on Saturday.

Monaghan were, of course, knocked out of the Ulster SFC by Down, although they have got through to this stage via wins over Wexford and Carlow. Down subsequently fell short against Tyrone in the provincial final, but they are still chasing a first appearance in the last eight since 2012.

Malachy O’Rourke has named an unchanged 26-man panel for Monaghan, who will be looking for big performances from the likes of Conor McManus, Kieran Hughes, Drew and Ryan Wylie, Colin Walshe and Jack McCarron. Éamonn Burns has announced an unchanged starting 15 for Down, who will need Connaire Harrison, Kevin McKernan, Darragh O’Hanlon, Caolán Mooney and Darren O’Hagan to lead their challenge.

The game is followed by the other Round 4B Qualifier between Armagh and Kildare at 7pm.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Fintan Kelly, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Colin Walshe (Capt.), Neil McAdam, Karl O’Connell; Kieran Hughes, Darren Hughes; Gavin Doogan, Dermot Malone, Shane Carey; Owen Duffy, Jack McCarron, Conor McManus.

Subs: Conor Forde, Kieran Duffy, James Mealiff, Brian Greenan, Vincent Corey, Dessie Mone, Dessie Ward, Ryan McAnespie, Thomas Kerr, Conor McCarthy, Darren Freeman.

Down: Michael Cunningham; Niall McParland, Gerard McGovern, Darren O’Hagan (Capt.); Darragh O’Hanlon, Conaill McGovern, Caolán Mooney; Peter Turley, Niall Donnelly; Kevin McKernan, Conor Maginn, Shay Millar; Jerome Johnston, Connaire Harrison, Ryan Johnston.

Meanwhile, Monaghan’s U-16 footballers will face Meath in the Gerry Reilly Cup Final in Millbrook, Oldcastle this Sunday evening (throw-in at 7pm). Monaghan, who are bidding to win the title for the first time, topped Group B with wins over Wicklow, Dublin and Westmeath, while Meath impressed in Group A. The home county racked up a huge 13-59 total in wins against Longford, Laois and Louth, giving them an average score of over 30 points per game. This tournament commemorates talented young footballer Gerry Reilly, who died tragically in December 1987. Meath have won the cup seven times, most recently in 2007.