Allianz Football League Division One: Monaghan v Roscommon (tomorrow, Inniskeen, 2pm)
MONAGHAN go into the game against Roscommon on the back of their first defeat of the season, against Tyrone last weekend, but they will certainly fancy their chances of bouncing back against Kevin McStay’s Rossies.
Despite losing 1-9 to 2-10 when these sides met at Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon were the surprise-packet semi-finalists last year.
Wins in Kerry, Cork and Donegal followed and Roscommon also beat Down before Kerry took revenge in the last-four stage.
That League run meant hopes were high as the Rossies set out on their Connacht campaign, but their expected challenge never materialised and it looks as if manager McStay has sacrificed League points for a run at the Championship this year.
At least Roscommon fans will hope that’s the plan because their side has lost its way completely in Division One after losses to Tyrone, Donegal, Mayo and Kerry.
McStay has rung the changes for tomorrow’s trip to Inniskeen and it’s a game the Rossies simply have to win to have any chance of avoiding the drop back to Division Two.
Thomas Featherston returns at full-back, while Gary Patterson is included in the half-back line at the expense of the suspended John McManus.
Strokestown’s Thomas Corcoran will start at midfield alongside Tadhg O'Rourke and the options available to McStay from the bench have been improved by the returns of Ultan Harney and Cathal Compton.
Even with victory, survival still looks a long shot because a trip to Croke Park to meet Dublin follows and defeat then could render their final game, against fellow strugglers Cavan, meaningless.
Meanwhile, Monaghan's haul of five points from four games looks even more impressive given that three of them were away from home including wins over Mayo and Kerry.
Last time out the Farneymen battled gamely against Tyrone despite being without Colin Walsh, Darren Hughes, Vinny Corey and Dessie Mone and then losing Fintan Kelly and Dermot Malone to harsh red cards.
With Jack McCarron (0-4) improving by the game in support of Conor McManus up front, Monaghan were able to give the Red Hands some nervous moments in the second half despite their numerical disadvantage and manager Malachy O’Rourke will hope to have some of his injured stars available tomorrow.
It’s hard to see anything but a win for the home side and – though they finish against Donegal and Dublin – Monaghan will have high hopes.
Monaghan: TBC
Roscommon: D O'Malley; S McDermott, T Featherston, N McInerney; G Patterson, S Mullooly, D Murray; T Corcoran, T O'Rourke; F Cregg, C Devaney, E Smith; C Murtagh, D Smith, C Connolly
Subs: C Lavin, P Brogan, C Cafferkey, C Compton, U Harney, S Killoran, N Kilroy, F Lennon, B Murtagh, D Murtagh, R Stack
