Preview: Who is left in the Monaghan JFC?
Maitiú Monaghan
Aghabog
This season provides a real opportunity for Aghabog to take the leap from pretenders to serious Championship contenders. They finished top of their group on points difference, unbeaten with three wins and two draws. For a rural club, they have a huge panel and fielded three teams this season. Younger players like Cian Greenan and Senan Carolan are pushing through, while the talented O'Hanlon brothers (Jack, Tyler, Fergal, and Cormac) still make up the spine of the team. Oisin Gleeson is rock-solid at centre back, while Michael Smith in goals could well be the best shot stopper in the division.
Truagh
Since beating Killeevan on the opening night of the Championship, Truagh have struggled in the JFC. Key players like Lewis McElwaine and Jake McGeough have since featured for the Seniors, and their absence has cost Truagh. They've shipped 95 scores across four games, and scored just 68. Still, reaching the knock-out stages is an achievement for a side who played together for the first time just two months ago.
Drumhowan
Since day one, The Celt has backed Drumhowan to win the Championship. We're yet to see anything to persuade us otherwise. One small caveat in their League win was their semi-final performance against Currin, which they made up for in the Championship- hitting the Scotshouse club for 5-20. Despite already being promoted, they look hungry for more success and will be hard stopped.
Seans
They went about it the hard way, but the Seans are through to the knock-out stages. The Three-Mile-House club threw away some big leads in the early rounds, but scrambled well to finish fourth in Group 1. They have some brilliant players, Daithi McMahon has been fantastic up front, Padraic McGuirk is a true leader, and Conor Kerans Jr is always good for a score.
Blackhill
After finishing third in the group behind Drumhowan and Currin, Blackhill are going into the knock-out stages under the radar. The Courtney's still make up spine of their team, with Donal, Thomas, Ryan, and Anthony all playing significant roles. Up front Tommy Geehan has been brilliant since he returned to the starting 15, linking up well with Michael Geehan, Darren McElroy, and Aaron Kenny.
Scotstown
The Scotstown Juniors are, as always, the great unknowns of Monaghan Club Football. Often they cruise through to the knock-out stages, but narrowly lose out on a semi-final. Will they step up this year? Maybe. Usual suspects Ruairi Sheehan and Jack Mohan are still playing well, young Cathal McElwaine is the latest break out star, while the side is captained by Scotstown veteran Emmet Caufield.
Currin
There's a confidence about Currin this season. They truly believe they are going to do something special in this year's competition. A heavy loss to Drumhowan aside, they've been good this year. The Kierans brothers (Tiarnan and Killian) are deadly in front of goal, Aaron Smyth and Zach Rooney have broken into the squad, and the McCaffrey's and Stephen Smyth bring much needed experience.
Oram
The surprise package in this year's JFC, Oram will take some stopping. They finished third in the group, behind Drumhowan and Aghabog, but have been competitive in each of their games.
Their forward duo of Jason Irwin and McDonald have played some mouth-watering football at times, while Cathal Crowe and Christopher McGeough are also in fine form.