By Shaun Casey

THE 2023 Monaghan Senior Football Championship draw took place on Monday evening and has thrown up some really interesting clashes.

Like the last number of years, the championship is a group format, with two groups of five teams.

Reigning champions Ballybay arguably have the ‘easier’ side of the draw and will be hot favourites to progress to the knockout stages.

Seanie Johnston’s side take on last years Intermediate champions Corduff in the opening round before meeting Aughnamullen, Latton and Truagh.

Ballybay beat Truagh on their way to lifting the Mick Duffy Cup last season and also defeated Aughnamullen in the 2022 group stages.

On the other side of the draw, last years beaten finalists Scotstown have been drawn against Inniskeen, Magheracloone, Donaghmoyne and Clontibret.

Scotstown beat Inniskeen in the 2022 semi-finals and overcame Donaghmoyne in the group stages, where they also drew with Clontibret.

Inniskeen, with Armagh All-Ireland winner John McEntee now in charge, currently lead the way at the top of the Division One league table.

The championship kicks off on the weekend of August 13 with the group stages finishing on September 16.