The focus is on Monaghan’s senior and minor hurlers and U-17 footballers this weekend.

 

 

Ulster Minor Hurling Shield Semi-Final

Donegal v Monaghan, Friday, 7.15, Ballybofey

 

Monaghan face holders Donegal in Friday’s Ulster Minor Hurling Shield semi-final.

Monaghan saw off Cavan last week, while Donegal got a bye to this stage. Monaghan will be looking for big performances from the likes of Ciarán Guinan, Oran Kiernan, Jack Marron, Anthony Greenan, Dylan McAree and county senior goalkeeper Patrick Bermingham if they are to overturn last year’s defeat against Donegal.

Meanwhile, next Wednesday sees Monaghan begin their 2017 Celtic Challenge Hurling campaign with a Group F derby against Louth in Cloghan. The Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge is a national hurling development competition, now in its second year, which is targeted at 16- and 17-year-old hurlers who are not sitting State Examinations this summer. A total of 47 teams from all 32 counties will take part across eight groups that are determined on a geographical and developmental basis over the next eight weeks.

 

 

The County Monaghan Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League continues on Saturday, with newcomers Killanny making the long trip to unbeaten Scotstown, Monaghan Harps hosting Donaghmoyne and Magheracloone facing Ballybay. Castleblayney and high-flying Latton go head-to-head on Wednesday evening.

 

Aughnamullen can rejoin Carrickmacross at the top of the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League if they win at home to Tyholland on Saturday, while Emyvale and Cremartin host Doohamlet and Corduff respectively. Doohamlet host Inniskeen on Wednesday, while Tyholland travel to Toome.

 

The three joint-leaders in the Eurotech Junior Football League all have away games over the weekend, with Seán McDermotts in Killeevan and Clones in Oram on Saturday, before Currin go Drumhowan on Sunday. Saturday’s other fixture is Aghabog v Éire Óg, with Rockcorry hosting Scotstown on Sunday.

 

The Silver Hill Farm Development Hurling League continues on Thursday, with leaders Carrickmacross away to Truagh and Castleblayney taking on Craobh Rua.

 

Round six of the Connolly Meats Minor Football Leagues takes place on Tuesday. Division One front-runners Inniskeen have a bye, which gives Aughnamullen a chance to overtake them if they can win at home to St. Patrick’s. Elsewhere, Carrickmacross, Killanny and Magheracloone host Scotstown, Truagh and Donaghduff Gaels respectively.

There is a top-of-the-table clash between Emyvale and Monaghan Harps in Division Two, where the other fixture sees Latton host Castleblayney.

Division Three has the following fixtures: table-toppers Clontibret v Tyholland; Cremartin v Seán McDermotts; Doohamlet v Patrick Emmets; and St. Mary’s Na Mullaí v Clann na nGael.

 

The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile football competitions continue, with Saturday’s Under-12 Football Spring League Finals in Cloghan taking centre stage.