National Hurling League Division 3B

Tyrone v Armagh

Saturday, Athletic Grounds, 2pm

By Alan Rodgers

PROMOTION has eluded both Tyrone and Armagh already this season and it means that their National League clash on Saturday carries no significance in terms of the issues affecting the counties in Division 3B.

But that simple fact won’t make any difference when they meet in this final group match. The big question instead centres on how both counties will approach the tie which comes just a fortnight before a far more crucial clash in the Nickey Rackard Cup.

Games between them have traditionally been closely contested, even though the Orchard county have generally held the upper hand. It is likely that the same will apply for this tie at the Athletic Grounds.

Armagh’s promotion push effectively ended when they lost out to Sligo by 2-24 to 1-18 a few weeks ago. They currently lie in second place on the table with four points from three games and will be aiming to maintain that placing against the Red Hands.

Last year the tie between them in the league decided who would progress to the final. It ended up as a draw with Armagh going through on score difference.

Of course, the intriguing aspect to this tie is the fact that a fortnight later they will meet in the Nickey Rackard Cup.

Tyrone are this year under the new management of former Sleacht Néill boss, Michael McShane, and he has been rebuilding with the introduction of a host of new players. Nevertheless, the established performers including Damian Casey, Tiarnan Morgan and Conor Grogan remain on board.

A poor final quarter against Sligo last weekend ended their slim hopes of winning promotion. However, like Armagh, they will no doubt be hoping to use this game at the weekend as ideal preparation for the Nickey Rackard campaign ahead.

Michael McShane has also stressed his determination to end the league season on a high note against Armagh.

“We’re going out there to win the game, we’re going to try and work on things that we didn’t do well against Sligo, the mistakes made and correct a few of those,” he said.

“It may be a dead rubber looking at it from the outside, but it’s not one to us.

“At the end of the day, this is an Ulster derby. We don’t want to be losing to Armagh and to play them two weeks later in the Nickey Rackard.”

Verdict:Tyrone

Monaghan v Sligo

Saturday, Inniskeen, 2pm

By Alan Rodgers

PREPARATIONS for the Lory Meagher Cup coming up next month will be the key priority for Monaghan in this final game of their National League campaign.

It has been a league season of mixed fortunes for Monaghan, but they will be aiming to finish on a high note. They duly secured their status in the division just last weekend when they recorded an important victory over Longford, who are now relegated.

In that one, Monaghan won by just one point, 1-20 to 3-13. The fact that the win was recorded away from home speaks volumes about their tenacity and determination. More of the same will, of course, be required when they meet Sligo.

The Ulster side will once again be relying on the efforts of the likes of Stephen Lambe, Mark Treanor, Niall Rafter, Niall Garland and Padraig McMahon for the bulk of their scores.

However, they will have to be on top form to dispose of a Sligo team who compete in the Christy Ring Cup and secured promotion thanks to a big win over Tyrone last Saturday afternoon.

The Yeats county went through their National League campaign unbeaten and will be understandably determined to maintain that run on this occasion.

They will look to Kevin Banks, Rory McHugh, Finnian Cawley and top scorer, Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch to see them through.

Overall, though, this tie has, like the other Division 3B game this weekend between Tyrone and Armagh, absolutely no bearing on what happens in the competition.

Instead, both counties will be looking to make the most of the opportunity to get more game time ahead of their Christy Ring and Lory Meagher campaigns.

For Monaghan in particular, the quest to ensure that they are in top form for the championship is vital. Over the past few years they have consistently competed in the Nickey Rackard, but lost out due to a defeat against Tyrone last autumn which saw them relegated.

As a result they will be aiming to bounce back quickly and there is no doubt that the experience of playing against Sligo this weekend will stand to them.

So, while it is very much a dead rubber in terms of promotion and relegation, this game does carry significance for both counties as they countdown towards the championship.

Verdict: Monaghan

Tyrone’s Damian Casey twists away from Niall Feehily. JB23