Monaghan U20 hurlers contest their second consecutive All-Ireland “C” Championship Final when they take on neighbours Armagh in Cavan, Today Saturday, May 3rd.
The decider sees Monaghan return to Kingspan Breffni Park, where they were cruelly denied in a penalty shoot-out against Leitrim last year. Patrick Hannon’s side have had a terrific season to date, winning silverware via the Ulster U-20 Hurling Development League , where they saw off Louth in the decider. They have gone on to enjoy a convincing win over Cavan and a hard-earned victory in a thrilling semi-final against Longford.
Monaghan can call on as many as a dozen of their starting team from last years decider. Cillian Goodchild, Ian Walsh(VC) Conor Forde, Conor Meehan, Odhran Lennon, James and Enda Brady, Oisin Hagan, Ryan O’Rourke, Jamie Murphy, Fionn Mulholland and Conor McHugh. The Brady twins have both featured for the County seniors this season with James Brady joining Oisin Hagan in becoming a regular starter, while McHugh,O’Rourke, Goodchild, Meehan and John Treanor have also featured during the National Hurling League.
Having been regraded to the “C” championship this year, Armagh have steamrolled their way to the final with a comfortable win over holders Leitrim the quarterfinal and an even more comprehensive win over Louth in the semi-final. Charlie McArdle, Daire Harvey, Liam Farrell, Rory Grimes, Jack Loughran and Rory Og McNaughton have established their place for Armagh seniors and Armagh’s pedigree means that a very tough test awaits Monaghan, but Monaghan also take momentum into their third final in the space of 12 months. The Andrew O’Neill Cup final will be shown live on TG4’s YouTube channel, with throw-in at 1.3opm.
Results
Quarter-Final; Monaghan 4.22 Cavan 3.07, March 29th
Quarter-Final; Armagh 2-26 Leitrim 0-10
Semi-Final; Monaghan 4.10 Longford 3.12, April 5th
Semi-Final; Armagh 4-18 Louth 0-09
Monaghan U20 Hurling Panel; Ronan Markey, Cillian Fox, Ryan O’Rourke, Torfhinn Lawless, Conal Browne, Conor Forde, Kian Conlon (all Carrickmacross) Ian Walsh (Vice-Captain), Tomas O’Connor, Kealan McKeever, Shea Dewhrist, Stephen McSkeane, Shane Connolly, Thomas Smith (all Clontibret) Cillian Goodchild, Conor Meehan, Daithi McMeel, Donnacha McCluskey, Oisin Hagan, John Treanor (all Truagh) Kyllian Murphy, Jamie Murphy, Odhran Lennon (all Latton) James Brady (Capt.) Enda Brady, Caolan Connolly-Smyth, Rylan McCooey (all Monaghan Harps) Fionn Mulholland, Michael Meegan, Ryan Callan (all Castleblayney) Conor McHugh (Inniskeen)
