All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifiers Round 2B

Monaghan v Longford, Saturday, 6.30, Clones

Monaghan will attempt to get back to winning ways in the SFC when they host Longford in a Round 2B qualifier at St. Tiarnach’s Park on Saturday evening.

Monaghan started the Ulster SFC with a convincing win over Down, but a replay defeat in their semi-final against Donegal ended their reign as provincial champions. Meanwhile, Longford bounced back from losing to Offaly by knocking Down out of the running in Newry after extra-time in Round 1B. That continued Longford’s strong record in the qualifiers that includes a win in Clones back in 2004.

The Monaghan team shows one change from last weekend, with Conor McCarthy regaining his place at corner-forward ahead of Daniel McKenna. Conor McManus will again shoulder much of the attacking responsibility for Monaghan, with support from the likes of Kieran and Darren Hughes, while an experienced back-line is led by Colin Walshe, Drew and Ryan Wylie and Vincent Corey. Mickey Quinn, Brian Kavanagh, James McGivney, Robbie Smyth and Barry McKeon will be key to Longford’s chances.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Colin Walshe, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Kieran Duffy, Vincent Corey, Fintan Kelly; Kieran Hughes, Karl O’Connell; Owen Duffy, Ryan McAnespie, Shane Carey; Conor McCarthy, Darren Hughes, Conor McManus (Capt.).

Subs: Conor Forde, Conor Boyle, Dessie Mone, Neil McAdam, Dick Clerkin, Paul Finlay, Stephen Gollogly, Thomas Kerr, Dermot Malone, Barry McGinn, Jack McCarron.