Monaghan SFC round 3B: Castleblayney v Ballybay (Saturday, Scotstown, 3pm)
FIVE of the top six teams in the Monaghan senior league have reached the last six of the championship. The exception? Castleblayney.
Declan Loughman’s side have been quietly going about their business since losing out to Monaghan Harps in the first round, disposing of Donaghmoyne and then over-powering a fancied Truagh Gaels outfit. Their cause will undoubtedly be helped by the fact they are facing a Ballybay side that came out on the wrong side of a three-game saga against Clontibret last weekend.
Former county man Ciarán Hanratty and Brendan McElroy lead the ’Blayney attack while club captain Martin McElroy has been in really good form.
Ballybay will have tired minds and bodies going into the game, and manager Cathal Hand must quickly get them refocused after last week’s disappointment.
Drew Wylie came off injured late on in that game, and his absence would prove to be a huge blow to their chances. With players like Paul Finlay and Christopher McGuinness leading their charge, though, they should secure a semi-final berth.
Monaghan Harps v Magheracloone (Saturday, Scotstown, 4.30pm)
MONAGHAN HARPS will be expected to reach the last four, but they will have to be at their sharpest against a Maghercloone side that has shown plenty of heart in recent weeks.
Like Ballybay, they needed three games in the last round, but, crucially, they came out with a win against Latton when Gavin Doogan kicked the winner a minute into injury time. They are managed by former Crossmaglen boss Donal Murtagh and will be led by Tommy Freeman, who missed the first Latton game through suspension.
The Harps are still a fairly young outfit, but they continue to make steady progress. Donal Hahessy and Fearghal McMahon are their main scoring threats, although manager Cathal McAnenly will be looking for a much better performance than they showed in the defeat to Scotstown.
They have had significant time to prepare for this match, and they should prove too strong for Murtagh’s team.
