THE HEADLINE-MAKERS AIMING FOR SILVERWARE
MAITIU MONAGHAN
Latton vs Ballybay Christopher McGuinness (Ballybay): For years, McGuinness has been the focal point of the Ballybay attack. Playing at corner forward, often supported by his brother Shane in the half forward line, McGuinness is Ballybay’s most important scoring threat. Whether it’s from play or from place balls, he is deadly accurate in front of goal. Kieran Duffy (Latton): The Monaghan Captain is a crucial player for both club and county. Ballybay’s attacking threat will cause Latton problems, but having Duffy as a general in the backline will ensure their defensive solidity and provide them with a solid platform from which they can attack Ballybay. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay): Ballybay will raise Latton’s Kieran Duffy, and raise them, Ryan Wylie. Duffy’s predecessor as Monaghan Captain, will provide the same defensive solidity for his own club. Subsequently, Friday’s clash may be a game for the defenders. When they met in the league in June, Ballybay edged it 1-13 to 1-12. I expect it will be that tight again.
Scotstown vs Corduff Micheal McCarville (Scotstown): The big man in the middle for Scotstown forced his way into the County team with a great season for his club in 2023. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength and looks set to take the Monaghan Club Championship by the scruff of the neck this season. There is no better time to begin than a massive game against Corduff this weekend. This game will be scrappy, and McCarville could be the difference. Fergal Hanratty (Corduff): Having scored 0-5 in the quarterfinal against Inniskeen, Scotstown know that Hanratty is Corduff’s danger man. Although the South Monaghan side are by no means a one-man band, Dónal Meegan and Dylan McConnell will also provide scoring threats, stopping Hanratty will be high on the list of Scotstown’s priorities heading into the weekend. This of course, is much easier said than done. Conor McCarthy (Scotstown): It is no secret that Scotstown have an embarrassment of riches, it’s the reason they’ve won so much for the past 10 years. Nonetheless, the jewel in the crown, is Conor McCarthy. In inter-county football, he’s almost impossible to stop. At club level, he goes up another gear again. Corduff will have to put fires out all over the pitch, which will give McCarthy the perfect opportunity to dominate the game.
Cremartin vs Killanny Eddie Walsh (Killanny): With his ability to play across the forward line, the Killanny forward is their best attacking threat. He is physically imposing, skilful, and very intelligent. When he gets going, he is almost impossible to stop. It’s crucial for Cremartin that they don’t let him build up a head of steam, otherwise it will be a long evening for them. Stephen Mooney (Cremartin): Despite a remarkable individual performance against Clontibret in the relegation semi-final, Stephen Mooney finds himself in the relegation final. However, whenever Christopher McGuinness (above) is Ballybay’s most important scoring threat from play or from place ….
