Former Mayo star Lee Keegan anticipates “a tight, feisty affair” between Derry and Monaghan in Saturday’s Ulster SFC semi-final in Omagh (throw-in 5pm).

Rory Gallagher’s men are bidding to make it to back-to-back provincial finals this weekend and are 8/15 favourites with the bookmakers to end the Farney County’s quest for a first Anglo-Celt Cup in eight years.

Writing in his column for RTE Sport, Keegan is predicting the holders to edge a close one at Healy Park on Saturday.

“We nearly have a full sense of how the All-Ireland group phase will look now - Mayo, Roscommon, Tyrone and the losers of Monaghan-Derry in Pot 3. Donegal and Westmeath sure to be in Pot 4. The big games in Ulster this weekend will tell a tale,” wrote the five-time All-Star.

“I expect the Derry-Monaghan semi-final to be a tight, feisty affair. As distinct from the free-flowing game we witnessed in Omagh.

“Wary as I am about tipping against Monaghan again - Vinny Corey and co have delighted in upsetting the tipsters so far - I reckon Derry will get the job done on Saturday.”

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