Football

Monaghan unchanged for Allianz Football League trip to Donegal

Monaghan's Jack McCarron hit 1-7 in the win against Roscommon
Monaghan's Jack McCarron hit 1-7 in the win against Roscommon Monaghan's Jack McCarron hit 1-7 in the win against Roscommon

MONAGHAN manager Malachy O’Rourke has kept faith with the squad that beat Roscommon last weekend for Sunday’s clash with Donegal in Ballyshannon.

Experienced defenders Dessie Mone and Colin Walsh have not been passed fit for the trip which sees the fourth-placed Farneymen look to leapfrog their hosts as well as Tyrone and Dublin and take over at the top of Division One.

Monaghan legend Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes expects a “typical Ulster derby” on heavy ground in Ballyshannon.

“There is a lot at stake,” he said.

“Compared to last Sunday, when we managed to score 2-17, Monaghan and Donegal have been real battles this last three or four years so it will be a real grinder.

“We saw what these young Donegal players can do last weekend against Tyrone, they are well able to shoot scores from 30 and 40 metres out.

“Dessie Ward has added a new dimension to our half-forward line, and I think Monaghan will be well able of going up to Donegal and doing what Donegal are able to do to most teams, matching them physically and they will be anxious to do that again on Sunday.”

Star forward Conor McManus contributed just four points against Roscommon and Farney fans will have been delighted that Jack McCarron continued his excellent form and weighed in with 1-7.

“Jack has been a revelation in the full-forward line, especially as he has had to recover from injury in the past two years,” said Hughes.

“He also played very well against Tyrone and it’s a big test for him going into the game against Donegal.

“But to take points away in Mayo and Kerry was terrific. Young Dessie Ward coming into the team, Jack McCarron… We still have Dessie Mone and Vinny Corey to come back in and the defence looks very settled.

“The strength in depth of the squad is very, very good, and it shows that they have back-up now, and that the under-age structure of the county is working.”

Meanwhile, Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has made two changes to the side that hosts Mayo at Healy Park on Sunday.

Niall Morgan replaces Mickey O’Neill in goal, while Padraig Hampsey is named at corner-back instead of Cathal McShane.

Monaghan (Allianz Football League Division 1 v Roscommon): R Beggan; F Kelly, D Wylie, R Wylie; R McAnespie, N McAdam, K O’Connell; D Hughes, K Hughes; D Ward, S Carey, G Doogan; K Duffy, J McCarron, C McManus

Subs: C Forde, O Coyle, K McQuaid, V Corey, J Mealiff, B Greenan, T Kerr, O Duffy, C McCarthy, S Gollogly, M Brannigan

Tyrone (Allianz Football League Division 1 v Mayo): N Morgan; P Hampsey, R McNamee, C McCarron; R Brennan, Justin McMahon, T McCann; C Cavanagh, D McClure; K McGeary, N Sludden, P Harte; M Bradley, S Cavanagh, M Donnelly

Subs: M O’Neill, C McCann, A McCrory, D McCurry, HP McGeary, R McNabb, P McNulty, C McShane, C Meyler, J Monroe, R O’Neill

Armagh (Allianz Football League Division 3 v Antrim): B Hughes; P Hughes, C Vernon, G McCabe; A McKay, B Donaghy, N Rowland; A Findon, S Sheridan; R Grugan, A Duffy, N Grimley; J Clarke, S Campbell, G McParland