All-Ireland Minor Hurling ‘C’ Championship Final

Monaghan v Mayo, Saturday, 2.00, Ballinamore

Monaghan’s minor hurlers take on Mayo in the All-Ireland ‘C’ Hurling Championship Final at Ballinamore, Co Leitrim on Saturday.

It has already been a good year for Monaghan, who retained the Ulster Minor Hurling League Division Two with a hard-earned win over Cavan in the final and they beat the same opposition to reach the Ulster championship shield decider, only to lose their title to Donegal. The places in this final went up for grabs in round-robin blitzes, where Monaghan beat Tyrone and Louth and Mayo proved too strong for Sligo and Cavan.

Monaghan should be able to call on dual county minors Dónal Meegan, Aodh Curran and Michael O’Dowd, as well as Conor Boyle, Noel Flood and Ciarán McQuaid, although there are injury doubts over Tony Forde and Cillian Lavelle. Mayo will be looking for big performances from Fergal Boland, Conor Canty, Corey Scahill, Shane Nugent and Morgan and Shane Lyons. Given the fact that Mayo competed at ‘B’ level last year, the Connacht side will present a tough challenge for Monaghan, but Arthur Hughes will be confident that his team can at least give a good account of themselves.