All-Ireland Senior B Football final: Monaghan v Fermanagh
It is winter football. It is many months away from the Anglo-Celt Cup clash.
And neither of these teams is anywhere close to getting into Championship mode, whether mentally, or in physical training requirements.
It remains though an interesting workout, and above-par preparation for the next round of the NFL.
Monaghan boss Eamonn McEneaney was not a happy man this week, after his team scored only two points against Meath, the first not coming until after 44 minutes.
He has gone for two changes, bringing back John Conlon and welcoming back Damien Freeman to the starting select after injury.
Fermanagh are without the influential Paul Brewster at midfield due to work commitments, have some other injury problems, but field at reasonable strength all the same.
Tom Brewster is one of the main dangers to their prospects.
If prone to giving away frees, Brewster, as recent form has illustrated, would be taken to make them pay hand over fist.
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IRELAND, the defending World champions, are back in sixth place at the halfway mark of this year’s World Cup of Golf in Auckland, New Zealand.
Paul McGinley, in joint fourth position at the end of the opening day, returned a second round 76 and now stands five behind individual leader Nick Faldo on 143.
Padraig Harrington couldn’t improve on his first round level par 72 and lies one shot behind his Irish team-mate.
Faldo’s long trek back to the bright lights of golf continued in style with a vintage display that put England into the World Cup lead.
The six-time majors champion could stand tall following his two under par round of 70, battling the windswept conditions to finish the only player in the 32-nation field not to record a bogey on the exposed Gulf Harbour course
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IMPROVED third round scores failed to keep the three Irish contenders up with the class leaders in the European Tour School at San Roque, Spain.
Jim Carvill of Warrenpoint carded a one under par 71 for a three-round total of 223, seven over and 17 behind the leading pair in the battle for 35 tour cards. Damien Mooney achieved parity with Francis Howley, the former’s third round 72 bringing him on to the total of 228, which was also reached by Howley’s score of 74.
Disastrous second rounds, none of the Irish entrants going round in less than 77, were the major reason for their interest in the school waning long before the 72-hole cut.
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FAI Harp Lager National League: St Patrick’s Athletic 1 Derry City 0
AN IAN Gilzean’s header with 18 minutes to go gave 10-man St Pat’s the points that moved them back to the top of the Premier Division and handed Kevin Mahon his first defeat as Derry City manager.
An incident-packed game first burst into life midway through the first half when Eddie Gormley’s long ball put Trevor Malloy in a foot race with Peter Hutton, with Platt advancing from his goal Hutton chose to blast over his own bar.
Marty McCann headed agonisingly wide for the visitors on the stroke of half-time from a Liam Coyle cross.
With Gary Beckett substituted at the break with concussion, St Pat’s completely dominated.
Later, Paul Hegarty fell to the ground in despair as Trevor Wood somehow managed to get his fingertips to his goal-bound 30-yard free kick with only five minutes left to preserve their win, St Pat’s 11th of the season and their second 1-0 win over Derry City this season.
St Pat’s: Wood, McGuinness, Burke, Hawkins, Croly, Russell, Osam, Gormley, Malloy, Gilzean.
Subs: Long for Gormley; Morgan for Russell.
Derry City: Platt, Kelly, Curran, Hutton, Hargan, Beckett, Doherty, Hegarty, McCann, McHugh, Coyle.
Subs: McCallion for Beckett; McCaul for Coyle. Referee: G Perry (Dublin)
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CELTIC welcome back Alan Stubbs after a groin strain for their home clash with Glasgow rivals Rangers with Enrico Annoni fit again to join him in a recognised centre-back pairing.
On-loan Liverpool keeper Tony Warner replaces injured duo Jonathan Gould and Stewart Kerr. Paul Lambert returns from suspension, Johan Mjallby may make his debut with Craig Burley out.
Rangers will be without suspended skipper Lorenzo Amoruso meaning Scotland U21 defender Scott Wilson deputises again. Finn Antti Niemi replaces long-term victim Lionel Charbonnier in goal, while Gordon Durie returns to the squad and may make the bench.
Last season: Celtic 1-1 Rangers, Rangers 1-0 Celtic, Celtic 2-0 Rangers, Rangers 2-0 Celtic.
Last five League matches: Celtic D W L W L, Rangers W L W W W.
Top scorers: Henrik Larsson (Celtic) 11; Rod Wallace (Rangers) 13.
Match odds: H 15-8 A 6-5 D 9-4.
Ref: W Young (Clarkston)
