Monaghan v Down, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, Armagh, 2pm, RTE
Earlier in the week Monaghan Senior Manager Gabriel released his starting 15 and subs. While staying mostly loyal to the starting team the last day Gavin Mc Phillips will join Mícheál McCarville at midfield while Andrew Woods returns to the full forward position.
Monaghan could yet prove to be the dark horses in the race for this year’s All-Ireland SFC title.
Sure, they’ve let their guard down at times this year, falling well behind Clare most recently in the first-half of that group game before recovering to make it back-to-back wins.
They were lethargic in the first-half of their Allianz league group game against Down too and eventually lost that game.
But they still ended up being promoted, went on to win the Division 2 title and showed enough against Donegal in Ulster to prove once again how comfortable they are at the top level.
They had eight different scorers against Louth in Round 1 and 11 against Clare last time out. The new rules suit the power and pace of Stephen O’Hanlon and Micheal Bannigan who have been bang on form all season. Throw in what All-Stars Rory Beggan and Conor McCarthy, as well as Jack McCarron, bring to the table and you’ve got a serious football team.
Manager Gabriel Bannigan has recalled Gavin McPhillips at midfield, for the injured Gary Mohan, and full-forward Andrew Woods in the two changes to his team.
Tailteann Cup holders Down held their own against Donegal in Ulster too before kicking on with big wins over Clare and Louth. In neutral Armagh, they won’t fear Monaghan and will chase top spot and a golden ticket to the quarter-finals.
Daniel Guinness has been brought into Down’s midfield while Eugene Branagan starts in the half-forward line.
MONAGHAN: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Kieran Duffy, Dylan Byrne; Ryan O’Toole, Dessie Ward, Conor McCarthy; Micheal McCarville, Gavin McPhillips; Stephen O’Hanlon, Micheal Bannigan, Ryan McAnespie; Jack McCarron, Andrew Woods, Stephen Mooney.
Subs: Kian Mulligan, Ronan Boyle, Louis Kelly, Darren Hughes, Aaron Carey, Ciaran McNulty, Barry McBennett, Killian Lavelle, Jason Irwin, David Garland, Karl O’Connell.
DOWN: Ronan Burns; Patrick McCarthy, Peter Fegan, Ceilum Doherty; Ryan Magill, Pierce Laverty, Miceal Rooney; Daniel Guinness, Ryan McEvoy; Danny Magill, Odhran Murdock, Eugene Branagan; James Guinness, Pat Havern, John McGeough.
Subs: John O’Hare, Finn McElroy, Aaron McClements, Donal Scullion, Shay Millar, Adam Crimmins, Oisin Savage, Caolan Mooney, Finn Murdock, Patrick Brooks, Conor McCrickard.
By Mary McEneaney Sat 14th Jun
