Minors face serious test from Monaghan

Minors face serious test from Monaghan

20 June 2012 - by BY MATT FITZPATRICK

THE curtain-raiser at the Morgan Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Sunday will be the Ulster MFC semi-final meeting between Monaghan and Down (12.15pm).

Three years ago the same two sides met and Down emerged as winners and manager Peter McGrath is hoping that his current squad can repeat that feat.

Both sides abound with college stars who know each other very well. Down will be looking to players from St Colman’s College, Abbey CBS Newry and St Patrick’s GS in Downpatrick to form the backbone of the side.

Monaghan gave an indication of their strength with a most impressive 2-10 to 1-2 victory over Antrim in the quarter-finals.

Team manager Colin McAree is in his second year in charge and he is hopeful that they can make the big breakthrough.

Monaghan have not won an Ulster MFC crown since 1945 and for a county of their standing that is a very long time indeed.

McAree feels that he has a good squad and will be looking to star attackers Conor McCarthy, David McAllister and Paddy Keenan to give the Down defence a serious examination.

Midfielder Michael Magee has shown great form all season, while in defence Fergal McGeough, Sean Conlon and Chris Lavelle give away few chances

Down’s last All-Ireland MFC title win was in 2005 when they came though the Qualifiers after having been beaten in the Ulster final by Armagh by 0-11 to 0-10.

Their last Ulster success was in 1999 when they overcame Donegal in a replayed final by 0-10 to 0-9 and then went on to lift the All Ireland title under the charge of their current manager.

Their three-point win over a very strong Fermanagh side has given them a lot of confidence and they are hopeful of regaining that Ulster crown at least.

Downpatrick’s Anthony Doherty and Bryansford’s Aaron McDonald look certain to start in defence alongside Carryduff’s Donal McKeever.

Midfield sees several players in contention, including An Riocht senior star Declan Doyle, Daniel McCarthy from Saval, Carryduff’s Sean

McGonigle and Tullylish star Joe McDermott.

The Down attack has plenty of pace and power. Jack Haughey, a member of Newry Shamrocks senior side, Cormac Gallagher from Burren, Conor McGrady from Downpatrick and Ronan McAlinden from An Riocht, as well as Kilcoo’s Darragh O’Hanlon, Cathal Foy, Ronan Mines and Conor Austin, are all in contention for starting places in various positions and should get the scores to see Down through to the final.