McCarron earns starting spot for Monaghan

JACK McCarron looks set to start Monaghan’s clash with Clare this weekend as the Farney County look to go back-to-back. They opened their account with a six-point victory over Louth last weekend.

Monaghan, who were crowned the Division Two league champions this season, have only made one change since the last day out with Scotstown sharpshooter McCarron replacing Killian Lavelle.

Stephen O’Hanlon rattled the net in their 1-23 to 4-8 victory over the Wee County and finished with 1-3 while Mícheál Bannigan grabbed 0-6 for his side. Goalkeeper Rory Beggan slotted over 0-4 from a brace of two-point frees.

Monaghan met Clare at this exact same stage in 2023 and picked up a five-point win that day. The Banner County are going into the contest off a hefty home defeat to Down and look unlikely to cause an upset.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan, Ryan Wylie, Kieran Duffy, Dylan Byrne, Ryan O’Toole, Dessie Ward, Conor McCarthy, Mícheál McCarville, Gary Mohan, Stephen O’Hanlon, Mícheál Bannigan, Ryan McAnespie, Jack McCarron, Andrew Woods, Stephen Mooney. Subs: Kian Mulligan, Louis Kelly, Gavin McPhillips, Darren Hughes, Aaron Carey, Ciaran McNulty, Barry McBennett, Killian Lavelle, Jason Irwin, David Garland, Karl O’Connell.