Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Final

Monaghan v Tyrone, Sunday, 12.00, Clones

 

 

 

Monaghan will attempt to end the county’s long wait for an Ulster Minor Football Championship title when they take on Tyrone in the final in Clones on Sunday.

Standing in Monaghan’s way once again are near-neighbours Tyrone. Monaghan produced a fine second-half performance to ease past Antrim by 2-10 to 1-2 in the first round, before battling past Down in the semi-finals. Tyrone emerged from a thrilling quarter-final against Armagh on a scoreline of 4-11 to 0-19 and they followed it up with a commanding performance in beating Derry by 0-15 to 0-6 last time out. Tyrone’s margin of victory in the semi-finals raised eyebrows, as this year’s Derry side were highly rated, featuring a number of the St. Pat’s, Maghera MacRory Cup finalists and Rannafast Cup winners.

Tyrone already have silverware in the cabinet this year after they won the Ulster Minor Football League. Monaghan also finished top of their group in the league after wins over Down and Armagh, but they lost to Derry in the semi-finals.

With Killian Rudden (ankle) and Conor Lavelle (collarbone) set to be the only injury absentees for Monaghan, an unchanged team is likely to take the field. Pádraic Keenan, Ryan Wylie, Ryan McAnespie, Conor McCarthy, Fergal Malone, David McAlister, Brian Greenan and Barry Hanratty can be expected to play key roles.

Tyrone can call on Seán Hackett and Seán Molloy from the team that beat Monaghan in the first round last year, as well as two others who came on as subs in that match – Rory Brennan and Daniel McNulty, who made a big impact on that one in Enniskillen by kicking three points. Mark Bradley has been the star man for the Red Hand County to date, kicking 2-11 in their two championship matches, while Jonathan McGahan top-scored against Derry with five points.

It didn’t materialise, of course, but this Monaghan minor team have put in a tremendous effort all year, under a strong management team of McAree, Noel Marron and Mattie McGleenan, and they deserve to have a big support behind them at St. Tiernach’s Park on Sunday. The county needs a lift and a win here would certainly provide it. County colours are available from Club Monaghan on Sunday morning – see Club Monaghan notes.

 

 

Monaghan’s Ulster MFC scorers 2012:

 

David McAlister 1-4

Conor McCarthy 1-3 (0-2f)

Pádraic Keenan 0-4f

Fergal McGeough 0-3

James McElroy 0-2

Dessie Ward, Ryan McAnespie, Ryan Wylie, Adam Treanor, Conor Lavelle 0-1 each