Sunday August 12

All Ireland SFC Semi-Final

Monaghan v Tyrone, Croke Park, 3.30pm

There will be no shortage of intrigue at GAA headquarters on Sunday with the stakes piled high.

Can Monaghan replicate the dash that defeated Tyrone in May? How much have Tyrone improved in the intervening three months? Returning to the semi-final for the first time in 30 years, will Monaghan be able to deliver?

That is what Malachy O'Rourke's team has done for the majority of this Championship campaign even though the Ulster loss to Fermanagh was a setback.

Monaghan's response, though, has been impressive with the All Ireland Quarter Final Group Phase bringing plenty of joy. The Farney win over Galway in Salthill sparked jubilant scenes so Monaghan head for the Jones Road venue heartened.

So to do Tyrone because Mickey Harte's outfit delivered when it truly counted against Donegal in Ballybofey. Now Tyrone are only 70 minutes away from another Croke Park appearance in September.

How Monaghan cope with Tyrone's runners will be critical as Niall Sludden, Mattie Donnelly, and Peter Harte's relevant to the Red Hands cause is rarely underestimated.

Monaghan have significant pace too with Karl O'Connell enjoying an industrious campaign, while Ryan McAnespie flared to prominence against Galway.

The scoring burden has eased on Conor McManus, who still remains one of the most accomplished attackers in the game.

This match could go the distance.

MONAGHAN: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Colin Walshe, Vinny Corey, Karl O'Connell; Niall Kearns, Darren Hughes; Ryan McAnespie, Shane Carey, Dessie Mone; Dermot Malone, Fintan Kelly, Conor McManus.

TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Michael McKernan, Ronan McNamee, Rory Brennan; Tiernan McCann, Frank Burns, Peter Harte; Colm Cavanagh, Padraig Hampsey; Mattie Donnelly, Niall Sludden, Cathal McShane; Mark Bradley, Richard Donnelly, Connor McAliskey.