There is knock-out action in the SFC and IFC over the weekend, as well as some important league games.

 

Gormley uPVC Senior Football Championship Round 3B Replay

Ballybay v Truagh, Sunday, 2.30, Clones

Gormley uPVC Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

Castleblayney v Scotstown, Sunday, 4.15, Clones

 

Neutrals will hope that Sunday’s SFC replay between Ballybay and Truagh in Clones can replicate the excitement of their first match, which finished level after extra-time.

After a win over Castleblayney and a defeat to Scotstown, Ballybay had to come from six points down to escape Clontibret with a draw last Saturday evening. All-Ireland IFC winners Truagh, who lost to Scotstown on their return to the SFC, bounced back to defeat Currin and Monaghan Harps and they were on the brink of a big victory last weekend, although they eventually needed a brilliant Paudie McKenna point to draw level at the end of extra-time. Ballybay have twice as many points as fifth-placed Truagh in the SFL, but they had to work hard for a one-point win in the teams’ first meeting this year.

Ballybay have quality all over the pitch in the likes of Drew Wylie, Paul Finlay, Christopher and Shane McGuinness, Thomas Kerr, Shane McQuillan, Ciarán Galligan and Ryan Wylie, who returns from a one-match suspension to boost their bid to make a fourth SFC semi-final in a row. Truagh have been boosted in recent weeks by the return to fitness and form of Daniel McKenna, who will play a key role along with Paudie and Christopher McKenna, Niall Feely and Mark Counihan and they will also hope that Adam Treanor is fit to play some part after he came on at the death in the drawn game.

The second part of the double-header at St. Tiernach’s Park is the semi-final between Castleblayney and defending champions Scotstown.

Blayney had a long road to travel to this stage when they lost to Ballybay in the first round, but wins over Doohamlet, Magheracloone and Latton (the first two after extra-time) have taken them further than many would have expected. Scotstown’s bid for a second consecutive title has gone very smoothly so far with convincing wins over Truagh and Ballybay. Scotstown had a six-point win over Blayney early this year, but the Faughs are the only team so far to have taken, albeit in a star game. Scotstown are currently third in the SFL, just two points and one place above Blayney, who have two games in hand. These teams have a great history of battles in the championship, with Declan Loughman’s side having won the most recent in 2012.

Scotstown have a great mix of experience and youth, with Darren and Kieran Hughes, Rory Beggan (whose place-kicking has been a serious asset), Shane Carey, Conor McCarthy, James Turley and Dónal Morgan – who recently returned from a knee injury – among the main men. Blayney will need big contributions from Dermot Malone, Martin McElroy, Ciarán and Barry Hanratty, Cormac Brady and Mark Treanor if they are to cause a shock.

 

 

McGuigan Builders Intermediate Football Championship Round 3B

Clones v Corduff, Saturday, 5.30, Scotstown

Cremartin v Rockcorry, Saturday, 6.00, Drumhowan

 

The last two places in the IFC semi-final line-up are up for grabs in Saturday’s games.

Clones and Corduff go head-to-head in Scotstown. Corduff lost to Cremartin in the opening round, but have gone through the back door with wins over Carrickmacross and Emyvale, while Clones battled past Rockcorry after a replay only to fall short against Inniskeen last Saturday. Corduff are top of a congested league table on six points, two points and five places ahead of Clones, who they defeated by four points in their only meeting to date this year.

Pádraic Keenan, Brendan McNally, Keith McEnaney, Declan Larkin and Ciarán Brennan should play key roles for Corduff. Clones, who are set to be without David Freeman through suspension after his red card last week, will need big performances from Fintan Kelly, Adrian Alford, Darragh Holland and Micheál Treanor.

Meanwhile, Drumhowan is the venue for the clash of Cremartin and Rockcorry.

Cremartin caused an upset against Corduff in their IFC opener, but lost a low-scoring game against Donaghmoyne last Sunday, while Rock lost to Clones after a replay, before knocking out Seán McDermotts and Tyholland. It was honours-even in these sides’ meetings in the league this year, with one win each, but both have struggled overall, currently occupying the bottom two positions, with Rock at the foot of the table.

Johnny and Paddy McGuigan, Declan Farrell, Niall Flanagan, Mark Magee and Kevin Brennan will be expected to lead the way for Cremartin, while Rock will need Fergal McGeough, Mark and Keith Daly, Niall and Paul McKeown, Noel Carroll and Mark Thornton on top form.

 

The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League continues with three games on Saturday evening. New leaders Clontibret travel to Inniskeen to play Magheracloone, while Latton and Monaghan Harps have home advantage against the bottom two, Currin and Doohamlet.

The only game of the weekend in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League sees the two teams through to the IFC semi-finals, Inniskeen and Donaghmoyne, contest a local derby.

There are three fixtures in the Eurotech Junior Football League over the weekend. Table-toppers Aughnamullen face Killanny for the second week in a row on Saturday, while Éire Óg face Oram. Drumhowan travel to Toome on Sunday.

Castleblayney and Carrickmacross contest the first Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling Championship semi-final on Saturday, when there is also a quarter-final between Truagh and Clontibret on Sunday.

In the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions, there are Under-16 Football Championship Division Three and Four finals on Saturday, as well as final-round action in the Under-14 Hurling League, followed by an Under-16 Hurling Championship quarter-final on Monday.