Few in Monaghan could argue that Clontibret have been the form team to date in this year’s championship. And yet still it’s hard to write off Scotstown at this early stage.
Last year’s champions could hardly be accused of going off the boil. They’re two from two themselves. Should they beat Corduff this weekend, they are straight into a semi-final with a match to spare.
This weekend is as close as it comes to golf’s moving day. A Corduff upset would leave Séamus McEnaney’s men on six points from eight, having beaten Cremartin and Aughnamullen to date.
Gaels made an SFC semi-final in their first year back at senior in 2023, and gave Scotstown plenty to mull over before a strong final quarter saw the favourites advance last autumn.
The two sides they’ve defeated clash in the home of the Sarsfields in what looks like a scrap to avoid the relegation play-offs, which is the fate for the bottom two positions in a five-team group.
That said, Cremartin managed an 0-8 to 0-8 draw against 2022 champions Ballybay last time out having been pipped by Corduff in their opener.
That is contrasted with Aughnamullen’s one-point defeat to Banty’s charges in round three.
Sarsfields will be hoping Jason Duffy will be fit for a potentially season-defining encounter, with his cousin and inter-county forward Stephen Mooney Cremartin’s largest threat.
Micháel Bannigan and Kevin Sheridan will be amongst Aughnamullen’s main ball carriers, although Keith Sheridan could well be suspended after a red card against Corduff.
Ballybay will be glad of a bye having suffered numerous injuries in the past few weeks.
The luckless Dessie Ward sat out the visit to Cremartin and looks unlikely to return for the group stage, although Shane McGuinness has an extra week to recover and Paul Finlay will return for their final group encounter.
Group Two has been largely about Clontibret to date - even without the injured Conor McManus - albeit they will have a rest this week as Inniskeen host neighbours Killanny and Donaghmoyne travel to Latton.
Monaghan panellist and Donaghmoyne’s star man Davy Garland has been quiet so far this campaign, and they look set to be without another key man in the shape of captain Declan Courtney, who hobbled off in defeat to Clontibret.
Having conceded two goals from optimistic high balls in that loss, Latton will be sure to test Shane Garland in goals, although Liam McDonald has shown fine form at the other end for the Fontenoys.
Full-back Niall Meegan kept the red-hot Darragh Hughes exceptionally quiet last time out, and he may well face the task of tracking Latton ace Aaron Mulligan.
Younger brother Kian, a talented soccer player, has been a superb find for O’Rahilly’s between the sticks.
Killanny’s short trip to Inniskeen will not be perceived as a foregone conclusion by any stretch, with both sides having had contrasting campaigns.
Eddie Walsh and Dean Connolly proved hard to handle as ever, as they grabbed goals in Killanny’s surprise win over Latton.
Geraldine’s have earned back-to-back promotions courtesy of Junior and Intermediate Championship wins in successive years.
Their win last time out means they have now won an impressive 13 of their last 16 Championship matches.
For Inniskeen it has been a more disjointed campaign than last year, not aided by Tommy Durnin’s extended intercounty season as well as Seán Jones’ and Andrew Woods’ travels.
They did show immense character, however, to claw back a draw against Latton, while having seen Clontibret’s form, they may not be as disappointed with that opening defeat as they once were.
Séamus Kindlon is another to have returned to the panel after a stint in Australia, and if Grattans can see off their neighbours, they might well put together a run similar to 2023.
Monaghan SFC
Saturday
SFC Group 1 (first named team at home) Aughnamullen v Cremartin (3pm) Scotstown v Corduff (6pm) Sunday
SFC Group 2 (first named team at home) Inniskeen v Killanny (2pm) Latton v Donaghmoyne (5pm)