Football

Tyrone eye revenge while Donegal venture to Newry

Group A of the Ulster U17 MFC is all set for moving weekend, with Monaghan and Donegal putting their unbeaten statuses on the line.

Monaghan's Jamie Mooney celebrates at the end of the 2023 Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Semi-Final between Monaghan and Tyrone at Roslea's Shamrock GAA on 05-20-2023. Pic Philip Walsh.
By Jack Madden
Ulster Minor Football Championship Group A: Round Four
SATURDAY
Down v Donegal (Páirc Esler, 12pm)
Tyrone v Monaghan (Ardboe, 12pm)

Having seen their U20 hopes dashed by Tyrone in Omagh on Wednesday night, the Monaghan U17′s head up to Ardboe on Saturday morning hoping to avoid a similar result.

Unlike their elders, they need not worry about the prospect of being knocked out just yet, but having had a stellar 2023 campaign, The Farney will be eager to continue their unbeaten Championship thus far ahead of another testing away day in Donegal.

These sides met at this age grade last year. Ironically it was Jamie Mooney who was the hero in the penalty shootout on that occasion, with the Cremartin man outstanding alongside brother Stephen in defeat to The Red Hand on Wednesday night.

Tyrone will be eager for revenge in what looks to be another strong Ulster Minor Championship. They got back to winning ways in a comfortable 2-12 0-4 victory over Fermanagh last time out, with their sole defeat in three matches coming against Donegal.

Gerard Donnelly’s men will be eager to make it back-to-back wins, with Saturday’s clash their final game in a five-team Group A.

Tyrone's Darragh Canavan comes under pressure from Down's Ruairi Slane and Matthew Murnaghan in Saturday's Ulster U17 Championship semi-final game at Clones. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Darragh Canavan comes under pressure from Down's Ruairi Slane and Matthew Murnaghan in an Ulster U17 Championship semi-final game at Clones. Picture by Seamus Loughran

There remains the possibility of a three-way tie between themselves, Monaghan and Donegal should the Red Hand bring their final tally to six with a win, so every score could well count.

Elsewhere in Group A, Fermanagh have their bye week as Down host Donegal in Páirc Esler.

Having beaten the Tír Chonaill men in the Ulster Minor League semi-final, The Mournemen won’t be short of inspiration, particularly given the talent and form of freetaker Barra McEvoy.

Their Championship has been disappointing to date however, going down by a goal to Tyrone at Errigal Ciarán before Monaghan prevailed on a scoreline of 1-17 1-13 last weekend.

A first home game of the campaign should be encouraging, although they will have to keep tabs on Conor McCahill of Four Masters, the danger man in gold and green.

Turlough Carr is another well capable of doing damage if given too much space.