CLUB SCENE.
It was a weekend of championship action that promised much but ultimately didn't fulfill that promise with some very disappointing, low-key matches in all three competitions, senior, intermediate and junior football. In the Gormley vPVC senior football championship top billing must go to the meeting of Ballybay and Magheracloone in Inniskeen on Friday evening last where Magheracloone staged a strong finish to win comfortably, Ballybay only making a real contest of it in two 10 minute periods either side of half-time. In the other senior football championship action Carrickmacross overcame Latton in an at times fiery contest in Inniskeen on Saturday evening while Monaghan Harps held out in a nervous finish in their elimination play-off in Clontibret, Drumhowan exiting the series in a game where goals kept their hopes alive.

IFC
In the McGuigan Builders intermediate football championship the action got underway in Emyvale on Friday evening last with Aughnamullen staging a strong second half to get past Currin by a point in a game that ended on a somewhat sour note with tempers flaring after the final whistle. On Saturday Tyholland also had the minimum to spare in their game against Donaghmoyne, a match that Tyholland dominated in the possession stakes but just couldn't put it on the scoreboard. Also on Saturday last Rockcorry proved too strong for Emyvale, a result that sees last years Monaghan and Ulster junior football club champions exit the intermediate series. The final game in the McGuigan Builders intermediate football championship was the meeting of Doohamlet and Eire Og in Clontibret on Sunday evening in what was another disappointing match.

JFC.
There was only one game in the Harte Peat junior football championship last weekend with Clones staging a strong final quarter to get over the challenge of Killanny in a tough, hard hitting contest in Cremartin on Sunday afternoon last, a result that puts them through to a semi-final meeting with Cremartin and Killarney going out of the competition.

LEAGUES.
There were a couple of previously un-played games in the U21 league division 1 and the reserve football league division 4 played on Tuesday evening last as well as the semi-final of the Maguire transport minor football championship division 2. In the U21 football league division 1 Monaghan Harps had a goal to spare away at Truagh while in the reserve football league division 4 Rockcorry defeated Currin in Scotshouse by 11 points. The other game in that division between Toome and Castleblayney was postponed. Meanwhile in the semi-final of the Maguire Transport minor football championship division 2 Corduff had a four points victory over St Patrick's in Aughnamullen.


CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS.
It is getting down to the business end of things in both the Gormley uPVC senior football championship and the McGuigan builders intermediate football championship. The big four that are through in the winners group of the senior football championship will provide two mouthwatering ties while there is still plenty of fight left in the four teams that are now contesting the two winners spots in the losers group thereby progressing to the next stage. The draws for the next round of matches in both the senior and intermediate championships were made in Clontibret on Sunday evening last. The draw in the senior championship has thrown up to four very interesting bearings, an old firm derby with Scotstown and Castleblayney in the winners section along with Magheracloone and Clontibret going head-to-head in the other game but Carrickmacross, Ballybay, Truagh and Monaghan Harps all harbour thoughts of further progress in their qualifier group matches. Meanwhile in the McGuigan Builders intermediate football championship four teams go into the next round of matches with survival uppermost in their minds although the most interesting tie of the two is probably the meeting of Aughnamullen and Donaghmoyne. It is planned to play all these matches over the weekend of Friday, September 10th to Sunday, September 12th. Please see fixtures list for details.

Gormley uPVC Senior Football Championship.
Winners Group:
Scotstown v Castleblayney Faughs
Magheracloone v Clontibret
Losers Group:
Carrickmacross v Ballybay
Truagh v Monaghan Harps
McGuigan Buillders Intermediate Football Championship
Losers Group:
Rockcorry v Eire Og
Aughnamullen v Donaghmoyne

FIXTURES.
Championship action, a full round of games in the Credit Unions senior football league, the semi finals in the McQuillan Staircases U21 football league division 1, the final of the Maguire Transport minor football championship division 3, the semi-final of the minor football championship division 2 and a round of matches in the Streamline Coaches intermediate football league on Wednesday evening next May make for a very busy schedule on the club scene in Monaghan for the coming week.

HURLING.
The action gets underway this evening Thursday, September 2nd with a round of matches in the Silver Hill Foods senior hurling league with Castleblayney at home against Inniskeen, Clontibret away to Monaghan Harps and Carrickmacross at home against Truagh, with all games at 7 p.m.
There is a previously un-played round in the silver Hill Foods senior hurling league down for decision on Thursday evening next September 9th with Monaghan Harps at home against Inniskeen, Carrickmacross away against Castleblayney and Truagh enjoying home advantage over Clontibret, with those games at 6:45 p.m..
Going into these last few games the table looks like this.
Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling League .

Played Won Drew Lost PTS
Inniskeen 8 8 0 0 16
Castleblayney 7 4 0 3 8
Truagh 7 3 1 3 7
Monaghan Harps 8 3 1 4 7
Clontibret 7 3 0 4 6
Carrickmacross 7 0 0 7 0

CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The championship action gets underway tomorrow evening Friday, September 3rd with the first semi-final in the Harte Peat junior football championship when Corduff and Killeevan clash under lights in Emyvale at 8.15 p.m.. The second semi-final in the junior series takes place on Saturday evening September 4th with the meeting of Currin and Cremartin, also in Emyvale, and also at 8.15 p.m.. The final of the junior football championship takes place on Sunday, September 26th.
There is further championship action over the weekend in the McGuigan Builders intermediate football championship with two games in losers group, Aughnamullen and Donaghmoyne meeting in Inniskeen on Saturday evening September 4th at 8.15 p.m. while on Sunday Eire Og and Rockcorry have their sudden death engagement in Clones at 7 p.m..

LEAGUES.
Round 18 of the Credit Unions senior football league takes place this Saturday evening, September 4th with all games timed for 6:30 p.m.; Truagh at home against Magheracloone, Carrickmacross away to Ballybay, Monaghan Harps meeting Drumhowan for the second time in a week, Clontibret away against Latton and the big one of this particular round the meeting of Castleblayney and Scotstown which is a preview of these two sides' meeting later on in the senior football championship.

IFL
Meanwhile in the Streamline Coaches intermediate football league Inniskeen take on Currin in Inniskeen tomorrow evening, Friday, at 8.00p.m. in what is a previously un-played games from round 2 while on Wednesday next September 8th round 17 sees the meeting of Aghabog and Inniskeen in Aghabog, Eire Og away to Aughnamullen, Rockcorry at home against Currin, Doohamlet away at Donaghmoyne and Emyvale entertaining near neighbours Tyholland.

U21.
The semi finals of the U21 league division 1 see Monaghan Harps at home against Castleblayney and Scotstown enjoying home advantage over Donaghmoyne in the McMahon Cup. Meanwhile in the Kerley Cup Aughnamullen who finished in 5th place take on Truagh who finished in 8th and Emyvale who finished in 6th place take on Latton who finished in 7th place with those games all timed for 6.45pm on Monday evening next September 6th.

MINORS.
Meanwhile at minor level Clontibret meet Latton in Ballybay on Sunday at 6 p.m. in the final of the Maguire Transport minor football championship division 1 while Tuesday next September 7th sees the final of the Maguire Transport minor football championship division three between Emyvale and Rockcorry in Gavan Duffy Park at 6:45 p.m.. The semi-final of the Maguire Transport minor football championship division 2 takes place on Monday evening between Killanny and Sean McDermotts at 6:45 p.m. while the semi-final of the minor football league division 2 between St Patrick's and Carrickmacross takes place in Ballybay on Tuesday evening next at 6:45 p.m..

RESERVE LEAGUE'S.
There is one game in the Foxhound Travel reserve football league division 2 on Sunday evening at 6:45 p.m. with Doohamlet at home against Inniskeen and the result of that game will determine the pairings for the semi-finals which are scheduled for Wednesday evening next September 8th as are the semi finals in division 4, all games in both divisions timed for 6:45 p.m..

HARTE PEAT JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALS.
Corduff v Killeevan: Emyvale: Friday September 3rd @ 8.15pm.
This is the real business end of the championship with both sides just one game away from a place in the junior football championship final. Semi finals are notoriously difficult games at whatever level and tomorrow evening's encounter between Corduff and Killeevan has all the ingredients of producing a game worthy of a semi-final at least. When the sides met recently in the league in Killeevan the home side staged a strong second half performance to recover from a substantial half-time deficit to record a single point victory but league form will have little to do with tomorrow evening's match. If Corduff have a psychological advantage going into this game it would be based on the fact that they came through as winners in each of their three matches to reach the semi-final although at times they struggled to impose themselves in all three. They won their opening game against Fergal O'Hanlons comfortably with a strong second half performance, they then defeated an under strength Clones in their second game back on June 20th and then clinched a semi-final spot with a six points victory over Killanny. Killeevan on the other hand suffered an opening day reverse at the hands of Killanny in Aughnamullen but recovered to defeat Blackhill and Fergal Hanlon's to work their way through to a quarter-final meeting against Sean McDermotts. That game in Clones produced a stirring contest with Killeevan striking for a goal almost all the stroke of time to snatch a two points victory after they had been playing catch up for most of the game. This one has all the ingredients for a close, keenly contested affair between two fairly evenly matched sides. In defence Killeevan are relying on the likes of Gerard Hughes, Gavin McKenna, Kevin McHinn, Johnny McGuirk, Ciaran Quigley and Paul O'Reilly to gel as a unit. It promises to be a real battle in midfield where Killeevan need to contain the influence of Declan Larkin in particular if they are to improve their chances. Up-front Corduff possess pace and power in the likes of Keith McEnaney and George McKitterick for pace while Raymond Byrne plays the role of target man very effectively and those along with the likes of Martin Mills and Mark Gilsenan can make life difficult. Killeevan for their part have experience and finishing power in the likes of Ian Larmer and Vincent Martin while Noel Smith's accuracy, particularly from frees, can be a vital component but they will have to work harder at not allowing themselves to be turned over so often as has happened in previous games when promising moves simply broke down.

HARTE PEAT JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALS.
Clones v Cremartin: Emyvale: Saturday September 4th @ 8.15pm.
It's back to Emyvale on Saturday evening for the second semi-final in the Harte Peat junior football championship where Clones and Cremartin will compete for a place in the final against either Killeevan or Corduff. Cremartin come into this game in somewhat the same way as Corduff came into their semi-final coming through with victories in their two matches so far against Blackhill and Sean McDermotts, eking out the result by a point in the latter game which was one of the two proverbial halves as the sides enjoyed territorial dominance in either half. Clones for their part started with a promising seven points victory over Oram but then suffered a reverse at the hands of Corduff although that was a game where they sorely missed the services of full forward Declan McKernan. They recovered from that reverse to defeat Toome in their next game in Gavan Duffy Park back on August 14th and clinched a semi-final spot with a hard-working victory over Killanny in Cremartin on Sunday afternoon last. Games between these sides in the league have varied with Clones suffering an early season reverse in Clones but their season has improved with time and they are now just one game away from reaching the final of the junior football championship for the second time in three years. They reached the final 2008 but were a well beaten side on a day when Drumhowan had matters much their own way but Clones were always determined to come back and set that record straight. As their season has developed so too Clones have got a more or less settled side together although they could again be without the services of Colm Connolly in attack and his absence would certainly have an impact, as it did for long periods last Sunday. The defence is more or less a settled unit now around Colin McCaughey at full-back and Fintan Kelly at centre and they have also very effective performers in the likes of Declan McQuaid and Darragh Holland, the latter a very good attacking halfback who can also pick off a good point. Up front they will look to Declan McKernan to again act as ball winner and playmaker while Adrian Alford and Darren Freeman in particular along with Kieran Kierans have the finishing power from both play and free kicks. Cremartin for their part will look to the likes of Niall Flanagan, Declan Farrell and Christopher Farrell in defence with Niall Flanagan the most likely to be deployed at full-back to police danger man Declan McKernan. Barry Carragher can operate in either midfield or attack and his ball winning ability and accuracy will be crucial. Cremartin have also benefited this season from the return to active service of Gary Boyd and he can give them options in either midfield or up front and they also have excellent finishers in the likes of Stephen and Declan Bishop, the latter also their chief free taker, as well as Kevin Brennan. This one promises to be a fairly robust contest where Cremartin's greater experience will be crucial but Clones will be encouraged by their second half performance in Cremartin last Sunday although they will need to impose themselves much earlier in this game than they did on that occasion if Cremartin are not to steal an early march. It promises to be a close enough contest with perhaps an opportunist goal doing the business for one side or the other.

MC GUIGAN BUILDERS INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Aughnamullen v Donaghmoyne: Inniskeen: Saturday September 4th @ 8.15pm.
It's sudden death for the losers in this qualifier play-off between Aughnamullen and Donaghmoyne in Inniskeen on Saturday evening. Aughnamullen came through their losers group game against Currin by the minimum margin last Friday in Emyvale while Donaghmoyne came unstuck against Tyholland in their round 3 meeting in Drumhowan on Saturday evening last and has both have now lost a game so far in the series the losers simply go out. The sudden death nature of the contest though should add a bit of spice to this one which has all the ingredients to produce a stirring championship encounter where the outcome could be decided by a number of talented individuals on both sides. Donaghmoyne were bitterly disappointed on Saturday evening last to have lost to Tyholland by a point but it was a game where they could have lost by more as Tyholland dominated the possession stakes but failed to translate it onto the scoreboard. That is an aspect of their game that Donaghmoyne will have to improve on and in that regard they will look to that central diamond of Kieran Lynch at centre back, John Kingham and Christopher Deery in midfield and Ciaran Daly at centre half forward to hold things together and get the ball in quickly to an attack where they will rely almost exclusively on Rory Woods. Woods was top scorer last time out with eight points, four from frees and Donaghmoyne sorely missed the support play Pauric Donaghy who was ruled out through suspension. They may still be without his services this Saturday evening which would again limit their options in attack but they will be looking for a greater input from the likes of Marty Hanley, Mattie O'Reilly and John Farrell. Aughnamullen for their part will be encouraged by their second-half recovery against Currin but they will be determined to not let things slip to the same extent this time around as they did in the first half last Friday evening. They trailed by seven or eight points at half time in that game in Emyvale last weekend but staged a strong second half performance where goals played a vital part in the turnaround that they engineered. Stephen Ward and Sam Dooney will again man the central defensive positions but midfield promises to be a real battleground with both sides having players who are capable of dominating the aerial exchanges, Thomas Hughes and Lee Conlon for Aughnamullen and John Kingham and Christopher Deery for Donaghmoyne. Paul Mulligan is a vital player for Aughnamullen at full forward and he along with Mark Meegan on the '40 can give Aughnamullen an edge in that area where they will also look to the likes of Pete Dooney, Chris Keenan and Mark McArdle to pick of the vital points that would see them through.

MC GUIGAN BUILDERS INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Eire Og v Rockcorry: Clones: Sunday September 5th @ 7.00pm.
Rockcorry's promising championship march was temporarily halted by Doohamlet in the replay of their round 2 game with Doohamlet in Castleblayney on Thursday, August 19th last. Central to Rockcorry's faltering performance on that occasion was the absence of Mark Daly who was abroad on holidays but he will be lining out again in centre field on Sunday evening thereby adding considerably to Rockcorry's potential to progress further. Daly acts as playmaker in chief, winning vital ball and always distributing it to good effect while his ability as a free taker sees him contribute substantially in that regard on the scoreboard. In defence Rockcorry will again look to Keith Daly, Johnny Reilly, Damian Matthews and Gary Calvert to hold things together at the back while half backs Keith Daly and Johnny Reilly in particular like nothing better than going forward on forays into enemy territory. Mark Daly's influence in midfield will be central to their attacking strategy but they will also look for a much better return from the likes of Stephen McGuirk, Paul McKeown, Dwayne Rooney, Mark McGuirk and Noel Carroll if they are to get over the difficult challenge that a hard-working Eire Og defence with pose. Eire Og started their intermediate championship campaign with victory over Aughnamullen on June 13th but came unstuck last weekend against Doohamlet in a most disappointing affair in Clontibret. Just as Rockcorry missed the presence of Mark Daly in their meeting with Doohamlet, Eire Og sorely missed the services of Pauric McKenna last weekend against the same opposition. McKenna was ruled out having picked up a red card in a league game and in his absence they lacked the direction that he gives on the field. He will be absent again this time around and that adds to the problems they face. Eire Og also lost the services of Paddy Croarkin with a hand injury during the second half of that game last Sunday evening which could leave him doubtful for this Sunday and that would rob them of their main scoring threat up front. The Eire Og defence which is built around Colin Casey, Mark McCaffrey, although he can also operate in midfield, Mark McBride and Dara McCluskey, can certainly make life difficult for Rockcorry but it is firepower that will ultimately decide this one. In that regard Rockcorry probably possess the bigger threat and if they can get their usual attacking game together they will be difficult to handle. That said though Eire Og will work hard but graft alone may not be enough.

MAGUIRE TRANSPORT MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP DIV. 1 FINAL.
Clontibret v Latton: Ballybay: Sunday September 5th @ 6.00pm.
There would be new minor champions crowned the Monaghan this year with reigning champions Scotstown failing to make it through to the decider thereby being denied a chance of completing a four in a row of minor championship titles. Only six teams competed in the division 1 minor football championship this season with Clontibret seeking a first title since 2002 and Latton seeking a first-ever title at this level. Latton in fact last competed in a minor championship final back in 1990 when they lost to Clones. Prior to the start of this year's competition Scotstown and Truagh would have been seen as the stronger teams but as the championship progressed Sunday's protagonists came through and both are in the final on merit. Both too will be looking to players who have senior experience, Clontibret to the likes of Fergal Greenan, Conor Boyle and Liam Savage to underpin their drive for honours. Latton too will look to a number of players who also have senior championship experience this year like Kieran Duffy and Thomas Connolly, who both played against Carrickmacross last weekend and they will get good support from Owen Coyle and Damien Duffy. With Latton seeking a first-ever title and Clontibret writ with a number of titles to their credit the O'Neills will go into this contest as slight favourites but Latton will see this as a great opportunity to make a little bit of history this year and give the club a timely boost following a very disappointing weekend for them last week in the senior championship. Tweet

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