Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Preliminary Round

Monaghan v Down, Saturday, 5.00, Clones

Monaghan’s minor footballers begin their defence of the Ulster MFC with a preliminary-round tie against Down in Clones on Saturday.

Monaghan defeated an understrength Down side en route to topping Section A and reaching a second straight Ulster MFL Final, where they lost to Tyrone after extra-time last weekend. Down finished second in the group, before progressing to the Shield Final, where they also fell short in extra-time against Sligo.

Monaghan can call on players such as Jason Irwin, Karl Gallagher, Shane Hanratty, Darragh Dempsey, Eoin Duffy and Liam McDonald from last year’s Ulster-winning panel. Down could be looking for big performances from the likes of John McGovern, Oisín Savage, Peter McEvoy, Jason Morgan and Niall Toner.

On the club scene, the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championships take centre stage on Saturday.

O’Duffy Cup holders Scotstown are away to Clontibret, while the other fixtures are Donaghmoyne v Latton; Emyvale v Killanny; and Monaghan Harps v Aughnamullen. The Crawley Cup sees Aghabog, Blackhill, Cremartin and Doohamlet host Seán McDermotts, Corduff, Éire Óg and Clones, respectively. The McKeown Cup is at the quarter-final stage, with Killeevan facing Truagh.

The Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League gets underway on Thursday, with Castleblayney, Monaghan Harps and Truagh at home to Clontibret, East Cavan Gaels and the returning Latton, respectively.