Allianz Hurling League Division 3A: Monaghan v Tyrone (Sunday, Inniskeen, 2pm)
Tyrone’s unbeaten run faces a derby test on Sunday as Monaghan plot an ambush at Inniskeen.
The Red Hands top the Division 3A table and are well placed to push for as straight run to the decider, avoiding the semi-finals stage.
While Monaghan’s form has been patchy, they remain in contention following wins over Warwickshire and Louth, and feel they can make a big statement by inflicting a first defeat on their neighbours.
Their promotion hopes remain very much alive following last weekend’s 2-8 to 0-7 victory over Louth, with Thomas Hughes and Pearse McKenna hitting the goals that laid the foundation.
The Red Hands go into a second successive derby tie on a high after beating Armagh by 2-21 to 1-14, but manager Michael McShane warned that they still have a lot of work to do.
“We’ll be looking forward to Monaghan in confident mood and determined mood, but we won’t be taking them lightly,” he said.
“We have two games left, Monaghan away and Louth at home.
“We have to go to Monaghan and get the win to take into our last game at home.
“And if we win our next two games, I would hope we’ll be in the League final, definitely the semi-final.”
The Red Hand boss cautioned against complacency, and warned his players that they could be brought back down to earth on any give day.
“We have a lot of work do to yet, we’re only three games in, but we’re unbeaten, we’re top of the league and we’re happy with that.
“Nothing is won yet, we’ll keep our feet on the ground. We’ll be diligent about our opposition, but we’ll focus on ourselves.
“We need to work on the technical side of the game, get things a wee bit smarter, our touch a week bit better, and if we keep improving, I think teams will find it difficult to play against us.”
