Monaghan Club Championship: Latton aim to build on bright start

Read previews from every club match

Senior Championship Group One

Magheracloone v Ballybay

(Saturday, Magheracloone, 4pm)

MAGHERACLOONE returned to the Senior Championship with a 2-9 to 1-11 win over Inniskeen.

Paudie McMahon grabbed both their goals while the evergreen Tommy Freeman was still a major threat inside. Crucially, they showed good efficiency in front of the posts compared to their opponents.

Ballybay’s home draw with Clontibret last week would have provoked differing emotions. They started so well and led 0-6 to 0-2 at the first water break, but then the holders started to turn them over as they tried to power through the middle.

With minutes left they trailed by two points but a couple of late scores earned them a point.

It’s maybe no surprise that Ballybay found things more difficult following Paul Finlay’s withdrawal in the first half due to a hamstring issue. He had looked so bright early on and maybe won’t be risked this weekend. They should still have enough threat up front to win.

Verdict: Ballybay

Donaghmoyne v Inniskeen

(Saturday, Donaghmoyne, 7pm)

INNISKEEN manager Oisin McConville said that Magheracloone’s speed caused them problems in last week’s one-point defeat, and they will need to rectify that fast as Donaghmoyne have plenty of pace up front.

That defeat was hard to stomach, especially as the Grattan’s owned a lot of the ball. Shot selection let them down with Sean Jones missing a free to grab a draw at the end.

Paul Meagan is likely to miss the derby encounter and they will need to be better against Gerard McGeough’s side. Donaghmoyne are back in the Senior Championship now and David Garland will lead the line for them in attack. Their major worry is that Inniskeen could be sharper with a championship game already under their belt.

Verdict: Inniskeen

Senior Championship Group Two

Carrickmacross v Castleblayney

(Sunday, Carrickmacross, 2pm)

THE pressure is already on ‘Blayney after the tame reversal at the hands of Latton at St Mary’s Park.

The sides were even for the first 20 minutes with Patrick Tavey amongst their scorers, but once Latton hit the net in the 22nd minute, the home side were unable to catch up.

They trailed by six points at half-time and although Robbie Hanratty (0-2) and Mark Treanor halved the gap, it was Latton who finished the stronger to win by seven points.

Matthew McGleenan is in charge of Carrick this season and they will be confident of starting their campaign with a win.

Verdict: Carrickmacross

Latton v Scotstown

(Sunday, Latton, 5pm)

IT seems that Scotstown and Truagh championship games are always thrillers and last week was no different. Having won on penalties last season, Scotstown looked in even bigger trouble this time as they trailed by two points with just six minutes remaining.

However, they kicked the last four points to win 0-17 to 1-12 with Shane McCarey (2), Ryan O’Toole and Conor McCarthy finding their range.

Last week’s Gaelic Life said that Latton were capable of making a real impact in this year’s championship and they started in the right fashion as they left ‘Blayney with a seven-point win.

Shane Slevin grabbed their goal while team captain Owen Duffy was amongst their point scorers.

Verdict: Draw

Intermediate Championship Group One

Cremartin v Eire Óg

(Saturday, Shamrock Park, 4pm)

EIRE Óg picked up a notable win over Currin in their opening fixture with the 2019 JFL champions grabbing four goals in a five-point win.

Christopher McGorman, Corey McAree, Conor Leonard and Leon McCabe all found the net to give them the perfect start to their group campaign. Cremartin had a bye last weekend so they are preparing for a busy few weeks.

Verdict: Cremartin

Currin v Corduff

(Saturday, Scothouse, 7pm)

CURRIN had a rough start to their Intermediate Championship campaign.

Not only did they lose to Eire Óg but they lost team captain Jack McCarron to injury. His availability is crucial to their ambitions of reaching the latter stages of the championship.

Fergal Hanratty was in fantastic scoring form as he grabbed nine points in their four-point win over Blackhill with Jason Hand scoring their goal.

The big disappointment for Brendan Hughes’s side was the concession of two late goals, but they had done enough by then.

Verdict: Corduff

Intermediate Championship Group Two

Killanny v Monaghan Harps

(Sunday, Killanny, 2pm)

ALAN O’Neill’s Killanny had been moving well in pre-season so they would have been disappointed with their loss to Emyvale last weekend.

Ronan Grimes did give them hope with a late goal but they eventually lost by three points.

Monaghan Harps also lost their first fixture, to Doohamlet, so there is a lot riding on this fixture. The Harps eventually paid for a slow start as they trailed by five points at half-time.

Verdict: Killanny

Tyholland v Emyvale

(Sunday, Tyholland, 5pm)

TYHOLLAND start their campaign against an Emyvale side that opened up with a good win over Killanny.

Team captain Karl McQuaid scored Emyvale’s first championship goal of 2020 and Karl Gallagher added a second late on.

Tyholland lost both games in the championship last year and conceded a combined 5-38 in the defeats to Magheraclone and Aughnamullen.

Michael Gallagher and Mark McCullagh are over Tyholland, and this is a great chance to get back on track.

Verdict: Tyholland

Toome suffer Wilson blow

Junior Championship Group One

Killeevan v Rockcorry

(Sunday, Killeevan, 2pm)

ROCKCORRY are in need of points after losing at home to Oram last weekend. The sides were level at the break but the visitors sprinted for home to win by three points.

Killeevan lost both Junior Championship games last year and finished bottom of the league. They will hope for better this season.

Verdict: Rockcorry

Oram v Sean McDermott’s

(Sunday, Oram, 5pm)

SEAN McDermott’s have dropped down to junior level but they opened up with a 3-11 to 0-6 win over Aghabog.

Goals from James Treanor, Paraic McGuirk and Pat Kiernan gave them a comfortable win over their neighbours.

Oram will not be easy opponents, as they showed with a fine win over Rockcorry last weekend.

Verdict: Sean McDermott’s

Junior Championship Group Two

Drumhowan v Scotstown

(Friday, Drumhowan, 7.30pm)

DRUMHOWAN lost narrowly to Toome last weekend and their cause wasn’t helped by Liam McGuirk’s first-half dismissal.

As it was for two yellow card offences, he will be free to play here. Scotstown lost by six points to one of the competition favourites, Clones. Jack Mohan kicked over a number of frees and he will need watched.

Verdict: Drumhowam

By Niall McCoy