Same again for Monaghan as they name team to face Derry

By Shaun Casey

MONAGHAN have picked the same 15 that defeated Cavan to take on Derry this Saturday evening in the Ulster Championship semi-final.

The Farney men were much too strong for Cavan two week’s ago, winning by seven-points in the end. It was the first victory of the season for Gabriel Bannigan’s side, who were relegated from Division One in the league.

Cameron Dowd and Daragh McElearney were championship debutants the last day out and they’ve been included among Monaghan’s back six once again.

Stephen Mooney was joint top scorer against the Breffni Blues, alongside goalkeeper Rory Beggan, evenly splitting 0-10 between them while Dessie Ward chipped in with 0-4.

Conor McCarthy and Killian Lavelle both game off the bench to make their first appearances of the season at Clones in the quarter-finals and have been included in the squad once again.

There’s still no sign of Ryan McAnespie or Gary Mohan, who both remain on the injury list. Monaghan are aiming to reach the Ulster Championship final for the first time since 2021 and hoping to end their 11-year wait for the Anglo Celt Cup.

Bannigan: We can’t afford to cough up as many goal chances

MONAGHAN
Rory Beggan
Darragh McElearney
Ryan O’Toole
Dylan Byrne
Cameron Dowd
Dessie Ward
Aaron Carey
Mícheál McCarville
Louis Kelly
Karl Gallagher
Mícheál Bannigan
Stephen O’Hanlon
David Garland
Andrew Woods
Stephen Mooney

SUBS
Kian Mulligan
Thomas Hughes
Robbie Hanratty
Bobbie McCaul
Ryan Mohan
Conor McCarthy
Ryan Duffy
Killian Lavelle
Oisin McGorman
Jack McCarron
Shane Hanratty