Think this is the first Championship meeting in over 10years. As fair I as I know, the last two encounters were in 2009. Memory of the game at Celtic Park being a fairly bad-tempered affair. However, the only survivors from those two matches that year are Chrissy McKaigue and Conor McManus. So that will have very little bearing on this game.
Monaghan have to be going in as favourites, as they have been a top division side for a number of years. Monaghan have won 17 USFC games over the last 10 years, including two titles and 2 final appearances, against Derry’s record of 2 victories, zero final places. Last time Derry put together back to back performances was in 2011.
I’d say Monaghan’s betting handicap would be set around the -3 mark.
Last 5 Championship Matches
2009 USFC
Derry 1-10 Monaghan 0-10
2009 Qualifiers
Derry 3-16 Monaghan 0-20
2008 Qualifiers
Monaghan 1-13 Derry 1-12
2007 USFC
Monaghan 0-14 Derry 1-09
2005 USFC
Derry 1-17 Monaghan 2-08