Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Round 1

Antrim v Monaghan, Saturday, 6.00, Corrigan Park

 

Monaghan’s minor footballers continue their defence of the Ulster MFC when they travel to Belfast to face Antrim on Saturday.

After losing in extra-time in the Ulster MFL Final against Tyrone, Monaghan bounced back to start the championship with a hard-earned win over Down last Saturday. Antrim are bidding for their first competitive win at this level in 2019 after a league campaign that included a home defeat against Monaghan.

Monaghan can call on players such as Jason Irwin, Karl Gallagher, Shane Hanratty, Darragh Dempsey, Eoin Duffy and Liam McDonald from last year’s Ulster-winning panel. Antrim could be looking for big performances from the likes of Jack Agnew, Ruairí Hagan, Marcus Lynch and Rian Lennon.

 

Monaghan’s U-17 hurlers begin their Celtic Challenge campaign with a Group F opener against Louth in Cloghan on Wednesday evening at 7.30.

 

 

On the club scene, it’s a busy week in the SFL, IFL and JFL.

Saturday’s Shoe City Senior Football League schedule includes a local derby between Ballybay and Latton, as well as the meeting of county champions Scotstown and current league leaders Clontibret. SFL holders Truagh will be aiming for a third straight win when they host Castleblayney, while promoted sides Currin and Doohamlet are up against Carrickmacross and Inniskeen, respectively.

There is another full round of fixtures next Wednesday, including a south-Monaghan derby between Inniskeen and Carrickmacross at Páirc Grattan. Form teams Clontibret and Ballybay go head-to-head, while Scotstown travel to Scotshouse to face Currin, Castleblayney take on Latton and Truagh will again be looking to make home advantage count against Doohamlet.

Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League joint-leaders Donaghmoyne and Magheracloone are up against Corduff and Aughnamullen, respectively, on Saturday, while Killanny travel to Tyholland and Monaghan Harps and Seán McDermotts make the shorter trips to Cremartin and Emyvale. There are another couple of derby ties on Wednesday in the form of Killanny v Magheracloone and Monaghan Harps v Emyvale. Elsewhere, it’s Corduff v Cremartin; Seán McDermotts v Aughnamullen; and Tyholland v Donaghmoyne.

In a tightly-packed Eurotech Junior Football League, Saturday’s fixtures are Aghabog v Toome; Blackhill v Drumhowan; Clones v Killeevan; Éire Óg v Scotstown; and Oram v Rockcorry. Killeevan have another local clash on Wednesday against Aghabog, while the mid- Monaghan derby between Toome and Blackhill is also on the agenda, along with Oram v Éire Óg; Rockcorry v Drumhowan; and Scotstown v Clones.

Sunday’s programme consists of round three in the new U-19 Football Leagues.

The Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League continues on Thursday, with Clontibret, Truagh, Mattock Rangers and the returning Latton at home to Monaghan Harps, East Cavan Gaels, Castleblayney and Carrickmacross, respectively.