ULSTER SF SEMI-FINAL: Monaghan v FermanaghVenue Breffni Park Throw-in 3.30 Sunday
BOTH THESE teams have a massive incentive to make the Ulster final – even with defending champions Tyrone lying in wait. Monaghan haven’t won the Ulster title since 1988 and this may well be the last hurrah for manager Séamus McEnaney while Fermanagh have never won the Ulster title.
Those facts alone guarantee a truly hard-fought championship contest tomorrow, even though Monaghan will start as strong favourites. Their 12-point routing of Armagh back on June 6th was one of the performances of the summer so far, and certainly the best performance under McEnaney.
Dick Clerkin, Paul Finlay and especially Tomas Freeman had their best games in a while, and other players stepped up too including midfielder Owen Lennon and defender Colin Walsh.
Fermanagh come in as underdogs but certainly not without a chance. Malachy O’Rourke orchestrated a fine victory over Cavan when they weren’t expected to win there either.
Peter Sherry is fit again to resume duties at midfield after missing the Cavan game, while corner forwards Paul Ward and Chris O’Brien performed very well on their championship debuts.
The problem for Fermanagh is that Monaghan look to have the greater momentum and their drive towards an Ulster final looks unstoppable.
In the last episode: Fermanagh were convincing winners in the Ulster quarter-final two years ago, 2-8 to 0-10, and in fact have won four of the last five championship meetings.
You Bet: Ladbrokes.com are offering odds of Fermanagh 3/1; Draw 15/2; Monaghan 4/11.
On Your Marks: Monaghan put up 1-7 in the first half against Armagh and hit another 11 points in the second half, and Fermanagh need to contain that scoring threat early on to have any chance.
Gaining Ground: Fermanagh hold the advantage having played in the Cavan grounds just two weeks back, beating Cavan, and manager Malachy O'Rourke knows the place well too have previously managed Cavan Gaels.
Just The Ticket: This is not an all-ticket event. Patrons can pay into the open seating and terrace at the gate. Ticket Prices: Terrace €15 /£13; Open Seating €25/£21; Covered Stand €27/£23. Concessions: OAP Terrace €10/£9; OAP Open Seating €15/£13; U16s free into open seating and terrace.
Crystal Gazing: Monaghan have let a good thing slip before but their determination should see them through.
MONAGHAN: D Hughes; D McArdle, J Paul Mone, C Walshe; D Freeman, V Corey, G McQuaid; D Clerkin, O Lennon; S Gollogly, P Finlay, K Hughes; C Hanratty, C McManus, T Freeman.
FERMANAGH: Ronan Gallagher; N Bogue, S Lyons, B Mulrone; D Ward, R McCluskey, T McElroy; J Sherry, M McGrath; D Keenan, R Carson, M Little; P Ward, Rory Gallagher, C O'Brien.
