DARREN Hughes has been named on the bench for Monaghan’s Ulster SFC quarter-final meeting with Cavan on Sunday.
Speculation has been growing about what role, if any, Hughes will play in this weekend’s Ulster showdown, with Cavan manager Mattie McGleenan saying earlier this week that he expects the Scotstown star to start at Breffni Park.
Hughes sat out Monaghan’s preliminary round win over Fermanagh due to a knee injury sustained while on club duty and, while he has returned to training, it is understood he has only been able to work on straight line running.
The Farney county have named an unchanged 15 from that May afternoon when they cantered to victory against Fermanagh.
Drew Wylie, who excelled at full-back against the Ernemen, keeping Seán Quigley quiet for most of the afternoon, will hope to have a similar impact against the Breffni attack. Jack McCarron and Conor McManus will again the lead the line at full-forward, while Owen Duffy, who had a magnificent impact when brought on the last day, again has to settle for a place on the bench.
Shane Carey and Conor McCarthy will be hoping to leave more of a mark on the game this time around, while Aaron Lynch drops out of the panel to make room for Hughes.
Meanwhile, Derry have named a full-strength team for Saturday’s Nicky Rackard Cup final with Armagh.
Last time out, the likes of Brendan Rogers and Chrissy McKaigue were sprung from the bench to fire the Oak Leafs past Monaghan. Rogers, in particular, was impressive, hitting 3-3 against the Farney when he came on.
This time around, however, Rogers and McKaigue will play their part from the off at Croke Park.
Monaghan (Ulster SFC v Cavan): R Beggan; F Kelly, D Wylie, R Wylie; C Walshe, V Corey, N McAdam; K Hughes, K O’Connell; G Doogan, S Carey, D Ward; C McCarthy, J McCarron, C McManus; Subs: O Duffy, D Malone, K Duffy, D Mone, M Brannigan, D Hughes
Derry (Nicky Rackard Cup final v Armagh): D McDermott; P Turner, S Cassidy, D McCloskey; P Cleary, O McCloskey, L Óg Hinphey; C McAllister, C McKaigue; G Bradley, M McGrath, A Grant; B Rogers, B Cassidy, C Waldron
