Ulster Minor Football Shield Semi-Final

Tyrone v Monaghan, Saturday, 12.00, Omagh

Monaghan’s minor footballers have been knocked out of the Ulster MFL, but they have the chance to qualify for the shield final when they take on Tyrone on Saturday at Healy Park.

Monaghan got off to a good start in their campaign with a win over Down, but defeats to Armagh and Cavan ended their chances of finishing in the top two in Group A. Tyrone played four games in Group B, finishing third with three points. Their one win came against Antrim, while they drew with Donegal and lost to Fermanagh and Derry.

Monaghan will be looking for a big improvement on their performance against Cavan last time out, with Pádraig McKenna, Thomas Kerr, Mel Boyce, Conor Boyle and Johnny McGuigan among those they will expect to lead the way. Aidan McGarrity, Enda McGahan, Ryan Devlin and Daniel McNulty are among the main men for Tyrone.

Bord Gáis Ladies National Football League Division One Semi-Finals

Laois v Monaghan, Sunday, 3.00, Ballymahon

Monaghan will hope to qualify for the ladies NFL Division One Final when they take on Laois in Sunday’s semi-final at Ballymahon, Co Longford.

Monaghan have impressed this year, winning the Dowd Cup, before putting seven consecutive victories together in the league. They have beaten Tyrone, Mayo, Cork, Kildare, Galway and Donegal, as well as Sunday’s opponents Laois, who ran Monaghan closer than anyone else yet this year (2-8 to 1-10) in round five. Laois finished fourth in the table ahead of Kildare and Tyrone on score-difference after they won two, drew one and lost four. They started slowly with defeats against Kildare and Donegal, but wins over Mayo and Tyrone got them back on track and although they lost to Cork and Monaghan, a draw with Galway was enough to see them squeeze into the semi-finals.

Monaghan are certainly the form team, but Laois have posed a number of problems for them in recent years, including last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final where they had a surprise win over Monaghan, who had just won the Ulster title.

Cathriona McConnell, Ciara and Aoife McAnespie, Amanada Casey, Therese McNally, Caoimhe Mohan and Ellen McCarron have been in impressive form for Monaghan, whose defence – which has the best record in Division One – has been led by Sharon Courtney. Laois will need Tracey Lawlor, Nora Kirwan and Sinéad Doogue on top form if they are to cause a sh0ck.

This weekend is the busiest one of 2011 to date on the club scene in Monaghan. The Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling League gets underway on Thursday evening when defending champions Inniskeen are at home to Monaghan Harps, Castleblayney take on Truagh and Carrickmacross face Clontibret.

There is a full round of games in the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League, starting on Saturday when old rivals Scotstown and Castleblayney go head-to-head, with both attempting to get off the mark. On Sunday, SFC champions Clontibret begin their campaign with an away game against last year’s SFL winners Latton, while newly-promoted Doohamlet have a home game against Monaghan Harps and Ballybay and Truagh will both be chasing their third win in a row when they meet at Pearse Park. The ‘Game of the Week’ is the south-Monaghan derby at Páirc Grattan, where Inniskeen return to senior football after a two-year absence with a game against Magheracloone.

In the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League, there are three games on Saturday evening, with Currin taking on Seán McDermotts, Drumhowan up against Aughnamullen and Éire Óg travelling to Donaghmoyne. On Sunday, Carrickmacross are at home to Rockcorry and Tyholland make the long trip to Corduff.

In the Gerry’s Takeaway, Ballybay Junior Football League, Oram and Aghabog meet on Friday evening, while on Sunday Blackhill and Clones have home advantage against Killanny and Cremartin respectively.

There are also three games in the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division Four, as well as the start of the Under-16 Football League Division One.