A big weekend of club action includes finals in the JFC, MFC and SHL and semi-finals in the SFC and IFC, as well as the first entry of Monaghan teams into this year’s Ulster club series.

 

Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Final           

Blackhill v Emyvale, Sunday, 4.00, Scotstown

 

An entertaining Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Final is in prospect when Blackhill and Emyvale go head-to-head for the second time in this year’s competition on Sunday.

Emyvale saw off Blackhill in their championship opener (which didn’t come until July 28 after Feargal O’Hanlons gave them a walkover in the first round) and Declan Brennan’s side then finished strongly to see off Oram in the semi-finals. It has been a longer route to the final for Blackhill, who already had convincing wins over Killeevan and Oram under their belts by the time they met Emyvale for the first time. The Emeralds bounced back to beat Toome in Round 3B and make the last four, where they held off a strong comeback from Seán McDermotts in an exciting finish.

These teams have met three times already this year. Emyvale, of course, ran out five-point winners in the championship, but Blackhill won both league games by a combined total of 13 points. Blackhill’s consistent league form saw Thomas Duffy’s men finish second in the table and set up a home semi-final against Seán McDermotts. Emyvale lost four of their last five JFL matches, which meant they ended up fifth and missed out on a semi-final place, so this is their last hope of promotion this year.

Blackhill have made great strides in recent years, coming from a low base to become leading contenders in junior football, backboned by young players who won an Under-21 Division Three title at a canter this year and an Under-21 Division One last year along with Oram as Emerald Sarsfields. Among the players to have come through from those teams are Ryan, Dónal, Ciarán and Anthony Courtney, Philip Donnelly and Michael Geehan, while Dermot Daly and Hugh Byrne graduated from the Division Three-winning crop of 2011. Colin Woods and Daly are the main score-getters from frees and from play, while Philip Donnelly’s pace is another key asset for Blackhill, who have also been boosted by the return of target man Darren Woods.

Emyvale have been contenders for junior honours since their relegation in 2010, but as well as last year’s final, they have also lost three semi-finals between league and championship. They had four county minors this year in Ryan McAnespie, David McAlister, Mervyn Brown and Daithí Colton, who have all played their part in getting their team here, particularly the first two, who are Emyvale’s top scorers in the championship to date. Daniel McMahon is at the heart of much of his side’s attacking play, while James Bellew is the main man at midfield and Seán McMeel, the recently-returned John Flannery and Gregory Devlin should anchor the defence.

Gormley uPVC Senior Football Championship Semi-Final Replay

Clontibret v Monaghan Harps, Friday, 8.15, Emyvale

 

Clontibret and Monaghan Harps replay their SFC semi-final in Emyvale on Friday night, with a place in the final against Scotstown on offer for the winners.

Clontibret, who reached this stage through the front door via wins over Castleblayney and Scotstown, led by eight points midway through the second half last Saturday, only for a Harps comeback to secure a second chance. The Harps have also won two championship games this year, against Doohamlet and Magheracloone, either side of a loss to Ballybay. The Harps are currently second in the SFL, five points ahead of Clontibret, who they took three points off from their two meetings.

Conor McManus is the top scorer in the SFC so far with 3-18 and he will again have a big part to play for Clontibret, along with Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey, Anthony Rooney and Conor Boyle. Conor Galligan, Shane Smyth, Neil McAdam, Dónal Hahessy and Gary White are big players for the Harps.

McGuigan Builders Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Finals

Donaghmoyne v Tyholland, Saturday, 3.00, Clontibret

Currin v Truagh, Saturday, 4.30, Clontibret

 

The IFC semi-finals are down for decision in a double-header at Clontibret on Saturday.

First up is the renewal of the rivalry between Donaghmoyne and Tyholland, who have already met in this year’s championship, when the Fontenoys won by four points. That came in between wins over Truagh and Cremartin to get Donaghmoyne to the last four, while Tyholland bounced back to beat Inniskeen and Cremartin. Donaghmoyne are three points and three places above Tyholland in the league, but the north-Monaghan side won by a point when they met in August.

Donaghmoyne have big players in all sectors of the pitch such as Pádraig Donaghy, Colm Connolly, Ciarán Daly, Christopher Deery, Francis Markey and Mikey Murnaghan, while Tyholland also have a team packed with experience in the likes of Gary McQuaid, Raymond Ronaghan, Paul McCormack, Ronan McNally, Karl O’Connell, Peadar Farrelly and Dermot Coyle. Tyholland have been in four IFC finals (including one replay) in the last decade, but Donaghmoyne look well-placed to edge through to a first final since 2008.

The second match brings together the two teams relegated from senior last year. Currin, whose only IFC win to date was back in 1935, dropped down despite acquitting themselves well in their first year in the top flight, while Truagh’s demotion ended their four-year stint in the senior ranks. Truagh have recovered well to lead the way in the IFL all year and although they lost their championship opener against Donaghmoyne, Corduff, Drumhowan and Clones were no match for them in the back door. Currin, who are second in the league, took the direct route to this stage with comfortable wins over Drumhowan and Clones. Truagh eased to victory against an understrength Currin side in their only league meeting, with the Scotshouse side conceding the other fixture.

Truagh have a number of good young players like Pádraig, Daniel and Christopher McKenna and Adam Treanor, along with more established figures like Niall Feely, Neil McRory, Niall Coyle and Barry Cuddy. Currin have the rare distinction for an intermediate club of having three county seniors in Dick Clerkin, Jack McCarron and Stephen Smyth, who will play key roles, as well as Philip O’Callaghan, Ciarán and Conor McCaffrey and Ben Clerkin. This game is sure to go down to the wire.

 

Ulster Club Junior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Monaghan Harps v Craobh Rua, Camlough, Sunday, 1.45, Crossmaglen

 

Monaghan Harps go into Ulster Club hurling action on Sunday when they face Armagh side Craobh Rua, Camlough.

The Harps qualified for this competition by winning the Monaghan shield final against Carrickmacross, having suffered semi-final defeats against Castleblayney and Inniskeen in championship and league respectively. Craobh Rua won their first Armagh JHC title this year when they beat Seán Treacys from Lurgan in the final.

Alan and Jack Lee and Maurice McKenna should have key roles to play for Monaghan Harps, who will also be hoping to be able to call on their dual players, who play a SFC semi-final on Friday night. Michael Garvey, Fionnán Burns, Eoghan Robb and Mark Fleming are central players for Camlough.

 

Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling League Final

Inniskeen v Truagh, Saturday, 1.30, Clontibret

 

Inniskeen will attempt to complete a second senior hurling double when they take on surprise finalists Truagh on Saturday.

Having won the double in 2010, Inniskeen are just one win away from repeating that trick, after they edged out Castleblayney in the SHC Final in August. Inniskeen finished second in the league and they had to come from behind at half-time to see off Monaghan Harps in the semi-final. Truagh, who failed to make the semi-finals of the championship, took fourth place in the league, before shocking Castleblayney by a point to reach a second final in three years, following their loss to Blayney in 2011.

Inniskeen, who begin their Ulster Club IHC campaign next weekend, will be looking to Trevor Hilliard, Séamus Loftus, Paul, Ronan and Dónal Meegan and Michael Lennon to show the way, while Truagh will need Conor McKenna, Conor McGinnity, Damian McCarron and Niall Coyle on top form if they are to cause another upset.

 

Maguire Transport Minor Football Championship Division Three Final

Doohamlet v St. Tiarnach’s, Sunday, 2.00, Scotstown

 

The minors of Doohamlet and St. Tiarnach’s contest the first of two upcoming finals when they play the championship decider before the JFC Final on Sunday.

St. Tiarnach’s, who are an amalgamation of Clones and Éire Óg, have reached this stage with high-scoring wins over Killeevan and Emerald Sarsfields and they also topped the league table – three points ahead of Doohamlet, who got a walkover from Inniskeen, before battling past Corduff in the semi-finals.

Doohamlet have a couple of star players with club senior experience in county minor Barry McGinn and Barry McBennett, along with the likes of Conor Marray, Jamie Walshe, Matthew Byrne and Ryan McManus. Dermot Gleeson, Michael Tierney, Cian O’Connor, Shane Ward, James Leonard and James Mealiff should lead the way for St. Tiarnach’s, who may have just too much in the tank.

 

Ulster Club Ladies Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Carrickmore v Donaghmoyne, Sunday, 2.00, Carrickmore

Ulster Club Ladies Intermediate Football Championship Quarter-Final

Grange v Aghabog, Sunday, 2.00, Grange

Ulster Club Ladies Junior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Ballyhaise v Emyvale B, Sunday, 2.00, Ballyhaise

 

Monaghan’s three ladies football champions play in Ulster club quarter-finals on Saturday. Donaghmoyne will attempt to continue the defence of their Ulster and All-Ireland titles when they travel to Carrickmore, giving their sizable county contingent a quick opportunity to put last Sunday’s final defeat behind them. There is a similar chance for Aghabog, when they travel to Armagh side Grange. Aghabog will be hoping to back up their convincing preliminary-round win over Gleneavy. Meanwhile, Emyvale’s second team take their first steps into Ulster club competition and they will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Donaghmoyne’s ‘B’ team, who won the provincial junior title last year.

 

 

There is also league action over the weekend, including three games in the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League. With opponents Scotstown eight days away from the county final, Castleblayney have the chance to kill off any lingering relegation fears on Saturday. The bottom two clash when Rockcorry host Carrickmacross on Sunday, while third-placed Magheracloone travel to Ballybay.

An unplayed Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League game takes place under lights at Páirc Grattan on Tuesday night between Inniskeen and Tyholland.

Magheracloone will attempt to set up a second minor final against neighbours Carrickmacross when they face Monaghan Harps on Saturday in the GRM Minor Football League Division One semi-final. Magheracloone have already beaten the Harps in the championship to advance to the county final against Carrickmacross, who booked their place in the league decider last weekend. Meanwhile, Donaghmoyne have home advantage against St. Patrick’s in their MFL Division Two semi-final on Sunday.

Completing the weekend’s schedule is the Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling Championship semi-final between Clontibret and Carrickmacross, with the winners set to face Truagh Harps in the final.