Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship

Aghabog v Éire Óg, Saturday, 6.00, Ballybay

Blackhill v Oram, Saturday, 7.30, Ballybay

 

The JFC continues with a double-header in Ballybay on Saturday evening.

First up is the meeting of Aghabog and Éire Óg. Éire Óg beat Aghabog at this stage last year on their way to a disappointing semi-final loss to Emyvale, but the Emmets went on to reach the league final, where they took Clones to a replay and they have been consistent contenders in junior in recent years.

Seán and Shane O’Brien, Gary McBride, Francie Dolan and Martin Fox should play key roles for Aghabog, while Éire Óg will need big performances from Paddy Croarkin, Marc McBride, Darach McCluskey and Pádraig McKenna.

Aghabog currently sit third in the JFL with nine points, just a point more than Éire Óg, albeit with a game in hand. Aghabog had nine points to spare in Smithborough in the league a month ago and while it will surely be closer this time, they should once again prove too strong.

The other game brings together two teams who progressed through the preliminary round, as Blackhill and Oram contest a local derby. Blackhill have made a fine start to the year, as they sit top of the league with just one defeat in eight games, while they had a comfortable championship win over Killeevan. Oram, who sit six points further back but with two games less played, battled past Scotstown in their JFC opener.

These clubs are not just neighbours, but they of course join forces at several underage levels, most notably last year when the Emerald Sarsfields amalgamation won the county Under-21 Division One title, before narrowly losing to eventual winners Bryansford in the Ulster semi-finals.

Blackhill are backboned by a number of those young players, such as Ryan, Dónal and Ciaran Courtney, alongside Colin Woods and Hugh Byrne. Oram will be looking to Pauric Graham, Ryan McGuinness and Cathal and Deaglán Crowe to lead the way.

The Emeralds will get a tougher test this time, but they should continue their fine form.

 

Friday’s scheduled JFC game is off, as Feargal O’Hanlons have conceded to Emyvale.

 

The Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling Championship gets underway on Thursday with the first round of group games. Last year’s runners-up Inniskeen have home advantage against Clontibret, while Carrickmacross are up against Truagh. The game between Castleblayney and Monaghan Harps has been postponed due to a bereavement.

The Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League resumes on Wednesday evening. Leaders Scotstown will bid for a tenth straight win when they travel to Clontibret, while Castleblayney make the short trip to Doohamlet and Monaghan Harps host Magheracloone.

With Truagh not playing in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football on Wednesday, Currin have the chance to join them at the top of the table if they can beat Clones, while Drumhowan and Cremartin have home games against Aughnamullen and Inniskeen respectively.

There is a south-Monaghan derby in the Eurotech Junior Football League on Friday evening between Toome and Killanny. The JFL continues on Wednesday, when Killeevan host Oram, Emyvale face Aghabog and Toome travel to Smithborough to play Éire Óg.

The Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship O’Duffy Cup semi-finals are down for decision on Saturday evening, with Truagh and Clontibret at home to Monaghan Harps and Ballybay respectively. There is also a Crawley Cup semi-final between Donaghmoyne and Seán McDermotts on Saturday.

It is a busy few days of fixtures in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions, with full rounds in the Under-12 Football Leagues over the weekend being followed by the Under-14 Hurling League Final on Monday evening and finals in Divisions Two to Five of the Under-14 Football Championships on Tuesday evening, which will be played in double-headers in Clontibret and Cremartin.