Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna Cup Section B

Armagh v Monaghan, Wednesday, 8.00, Athletic Grounds

Monaghan will be looking to progress to the Dr. McKenna Cup semi-finals when they make the short trip to Armagh on Wednesday night.

Monaghan made an early start to their campaign with an eight-point win at home to Antrim, before being held to a draw by St. Mary’s University on Sunday. Armagh, meanwhile, top the group after starting their campaign with convincing wins over Antrim and St. Mary’s.

Malachy O’Rourke has again announced a team with a combination of experience and youth for this game, featuring no less than 12 changes. Rory Beggan, John McCarron, Kieran Duffy, Ryan Wylie, James Mealiff, Colin Walshe, Dessie Ward, Fintan Kelly, Jack McCarron, Owen Duffy, David Garland and Darren Freeman have been named to replace Shane Garland, Barry Kerr, Colm Lennon, Karl O’Connell, Ryan McAnespie, Barry McGinn, Micheál Bannigan, Stephen Finnegan, Neil McAdam, Aaron Lynch, Darren Hughes and Dermot Malone.

Kieran McGeeney has named five changes to the Armagh side, with Aaron McKay, Greg McCabe, Charlie Vernon, Niall Grimley and Rian O’Neill coming in for James Morgan, Brendan Donaghy, Ryan McShane, Jemar Hall and Jamie Clarke.

Monaghan need to win if they are to progress to this weekend’s semi-finals.

Armagh: Blain Hughes; Ryan Kennedy, Aaron McKay, Connaire Mackin; Mark Shields, Greg McCabe, Aidan Forker; Stephen Sheridan, Charlie Vernon; Niall Grimley, Rory Grugan, Jarlath Óg Burns; Stefan Campbell, Jack Grugan, Rian O’Neill.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; John McCarron, Kieran Duffy, Ryan Wylie; James Mealiff, Colin Walshe, Dessie Ward; Fintan Kelly, Conor Boyle; Thomas Kerr, Jack McCarron, Owen Duffy; David Garland, Darren Freeman, Stephen O’Hanlon.

Subs: Shane Garland, Barry Kerr, Vincent Corey, Dessie Mone, Frank Connolly, Aaron Lynch, Stephen Finnegan, Dermot Malone, Gavin Doogan, Micheál Bannigan, Neil McAdam.