Mons News 3/2/09

[Magicme]

PRESEASON UNDER WAY
Monaghan United’s senior team’s preparations for the upcoming season are well under way. For the past 2 weeks the squad have been put through their paces and are shaking off the cobwebs of the closed season.


Mick Cooke is being given the opportunity to see his new signings David Freeman, Alan Byrne, Karl Bermingham, Keith Pringle, Charlie Tracey, Aaron McCarey, Seamus Quigley and Niall Flynn in action and is very excited about the way training has gone.


“I am really excited to have a player as experienced as Alan Byrne joining us and to have top quality strikers like Bermingham and Freeman, who also have played at Manchester City and Nottingham Forrest respectively, with them added to those we re-signed from last season and our other new signings, we have a strong squad for 2009” manager Mick Cooke stated.


“we are playing Bray in a friendly on Saturday and while results of friendlies are no real indication, they provide a very useful platform for assessing the team and seeing what needs to be worked on.” Cooke continued.


“the weather has hampered us somewhat and made training more difficult but the whole squad are working hard on their fitness levels and we will be ready for the season come March 6th.”


This year’s squad is nearing completion with Cooke in talks with a few more players he wishes to sign.


Players returning this year from last year’s squad are: Brendan Kennedy, Aaron Mooney, Brian Gartland, Paul Whelan, Stephen McCrossan, Sean Brennan, Don Tierney, Cathal O’Connor and Darragh Hanaphy.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Would your family like 2 hours entertainment on about 18 occasions from March to November? Trying to figure out a fun family activity that won’t cost an arm and a leg? Monaghan United FC have the perfect solution.


This season the Club is introducing a new family focused package to make it easier for families to come out to Kingspan Century Park and enjoy FAI League of Ireland games.


A family of up to 2 Adults & 4 Children under the age of 16 can come to all Monaghan United’s home league games for the 2009 season for the bargain rate of €180.


An easypay option of 3 installments of €60* is also available making the purchase of your United Season ticket even easier and giving you free entertainment all Summer.


During the game, all children aged between 5 & 11 yrs will be offered a 1 hr football coaching session on the new Astro Pitch allowing parents to relax and enjoy the football and avail of the Club’s social facilities knowing their children are looked after and having fun. Any children under 11 who come to the game with a paying adult/season ticket holder can avail of the coaching.


An individual Season Ticket is also available for €150 and also offers great value for money.


Gather your drums, scarves and children and come roar on the Mons.
*must be fully paid up before March 20 2009



MONS LADIES BACK IN TRAINING
Monaghan United’s Ladies team will commence their pre-season training this Friday night at Monaghan Leisure Centre at 7pm sharp.


Pre-season friendlies have already been arranged against Irish League Champions Glentoran on March 22nd and they will also compete in a tournament in Belfast against Donegall Celtic, Derry City, Letterkenny FC on March 29th.


LADIES NIGHT A SUCCESS
Monaghan United Ladies would like to thank everyone who helped out or attended the recent Ann Summers Party in The Squealing Pig last Friday night. Raymond Aughey ensured that the Pig staff looked after us very well and deserves a big thank you.


Thank you also to those who provided spot prizes for the raffle and all who enjoyed the Ladies only night.

[Magicme]

Monaghan United U - 15's V's Ballincollig F.C.
S.F.A.I. National Cup

Monaghan United U -15's suffered the cruellest blow when they exited the National Cup via a last minute penalty decision in their National Cup tie against Ballincollig F.C. on Sunday last.


United hoping to go through to the last 16 showed no fear against last years finalists as they calmly set out their stall forcing two excellent saves from the Ballincollig keeper early on. The Cork side responded well however seeking their star international striker Thiofack at every opportunity.


Monaghan's direct approach began to cause problems for Ballincollig particularly in the set pieces where Cian Byrne, James Clarke and Conor Moynagh dominated. Ballincollig took the lead against the run of play in the 28th min when a fortuitous rebound from a corner kick hit the crossbar and ricocheted off a Ballincollig head into the back of the net. Monaghan were stunned by the goal and were further demoralised 3 minutes later whenever they appeared to stop playing to allow the Ballincollig left winger saunter through to fluke a goal past Andy Fallon.
The second half saw a rejuvenated Monaghan throw abandon to the wind and totally dominate the 1:1 battles. United were rewarded in the 45th min when James Clarke muscled home a header from a corner kick.


Monaghan with their tails up pressed forward and began to outplay the Cork side with Gatis Logins, Colin Clerkin, and Shane Larkin combining well in attack. The home - side levelled in the 65th min when Conor Moynagh headed home from a superb Shane Mc Kiernan free kick.


Seadh Deeney replaced the injured Shane Larkin and added an extra bite to the United midfield. The final 10 minutes was a frantic affair with United pushing forward pressing for the winner. Extra - time and penalties looked to be on the cards until the referee signalled a penalty kick in the 3rd min of injury time. Ballincolligs Thiofack made no mistake in dispatching the penalty to end United's dream.


United's managers Seamus Deeney and Kevin Maguire were full of praise for their team. The team has developed into a formidable force well able to compete with the top U -15 teams in the country. United were praiseworthy of their opponents and congratulated them on their win and sportsmanship throughout the game.

Team: Andy Fallon, Tommy Doody, Paul Mc Conkney, Cian Byrne, Shane Mc Kiernan, Colin Clerkin, Conor Moynagh, Leigh Dunne, Shane Larkin, Gatis Logins, James Clarke, Seadh Deeney, Francis Smyth, Shane Hannon.

MONAGHAN UNITED U-18s’ ADVANCE TO LAST 16 OF YOUTH CUP

RIVERVALLEY RANGERS 0 -1 MONAGHAN UNITED
Monaghan United’s U-18 side advanced to the last 16 of the FAI Youth Cup with a hard fought victory over their fancied Dublin opponents at the Oscar Traynor Grounds on Sunday last.


Playing on the astro surface was a drawback to the Monaghan side as their opponents play here on a regular basis. However United started brightly and should have taken the lead in the first minute when a fine move saw Philip Donnelly and Dermot Malone exchange passes before Malone saw his blistering shot well saved by Murphy in the Rivervalley goals.


United were playing into the teeth of a very strong cold wind but they created plenty of goal scoring chances but if there is a fault in this side it is surely their inability to take even a small number of the chances they create. On 20 minutes United had a narrow escape when the Rivervalley No.9 Ryan blasted over when he looked sure to score and within minutes the same player saw a fine effort strike the crossbar and rebound to safety. Then Marty Hanly cut through the Rangers defence only to see his shot come back off a post with the advancing keeper beaten.

Five minutes before half time United lost influential defender Cillian Coleman with a leg injury. This resulted in a reshuffling of the defence with Darren Coleman going to right back and Vinny McKenna coming into centre back.


Playing with the wind in the second half United dominated for long periods with Dermot Malone outstanding in a central midfield role. Rangers defended in numbers and restricted the United attack to a few chances.


On 25 minutes United created an excellent opportunity but Craig Sheridan put his effort just wide. Malone drew a splendid save from the Rangers keeper as United upped the tempo in a effort to find a winner. Just when it looked like extra time and even penalties would be needed to separate the sides the Monaghan side struck the all important goal and what a strike it was.


Darren Coleman drove forward from his defensive position and when he picked the ball up on the right edge of the penalty area he had only one thought in his mind. He went past the covering defender, cut back onto his left foot and unleashed an unstoppable shot high into the roof of the Rangers net. A superb match winner but United almost extended their lead as Ray Lee raced clear but was denied by a splendid save from the Rangers keeper.


This was an excellent Cup tie played in a great sporting spirit with both sides playing some excellent football. United’s reward is an away tie against Dunboyne or UCD. Beaten in the semi-final last season this side can play a lot better than they did for long periods on Sunday but they continue to fly the flag for the club in the National Cup scene.


Kevin Martin did all that was asked of him in the United goals, the back four of Cillian and Darren Coleman, Niall Flynn and Dean McMahon were all solid with Vinny McKenna showing up well when he came on in the first half for the injured Cillian Coleman.


In midfield United have a real driving force in Dermot Malone and he is a real talent in the Roy Keane mould. He was ably assisted by Jimmy Fallon, Craig Sheridan and the hard working Marty Hanly.


Upfront Philip Donnelly and Jack McCarren caused all sort of problems for the overworked Rangers defence. Raymond Lee was excellent over the closing 30 minutes. Charlie McDonald completed the United lineup.


Well done to this team as their hard work has paid off and good luck from all at Monaghan United as you progress to the last 16.

[charliesboots]

You predicting the future now Magicme?

[Magicme]

You predicting the future now Magicme?

Eh?? Please tell me coz havent time to look and find out what your on about!!

[Sheridan]

You dated the first post 3/3/2009.

[Magicme]

oops. Blondness.

Sorted now. Thank you boys!

[TheBoss]

Is that same Seamus Peoples in this article: http://www.anglocelt.ie/articles/2/34844

I know he joined from Grove Farm in 2006, but was let go and then brought back.

[jimhacker]

I see your U/17s are coming our way next week in the F.A.I. cup.

What can we expect?

[Magicme]

A match I would guess! :D

[passerrby]

I see your U/17s are coming our way next week in the F.A.I. cup.

What can we expect?

dont expect to much they are all overweight and have not trained all season and if they turn up they will not have a full squad, you should beat them easily. in fact if i was youse i would not put out your best team and save them for the next round

[Blue Bear]

Bit harsh!!!!

[Magicme]

Think he was trying to psyche him out a bit, telling them we are useless so we could go and whack em!

[jimhacker]

We'll see on Sunday so!

[Magicme]

Mons won 1-0 in that game. hard luck Jim. Quarter final game at home now in the National Cup for our U17s.

Well done to all the lads and their management. Alot of hard work went into that and hopefully they can go all the way.

[jimhacker]

Mons won 1-0 in that game. hard luck Jim. Quarter final game at home now in the National Cup for our U17s.

Well done to all the lads and their management. Alot of hard work went into that and hopefully they can go all the way.

Cracking game given the conditions.

But hard luck?

Not really - linesman ruled out a perfectly legit equaliser because he didn't know the rules on offside - i.e when a clearance rebounds from a defender to a player in an offside position the resultant goal stands.

Bit of a sickener really but you have a good side there and you won't be easily beaten.

[Magicme]

Wasn't being smart. Was actually saying hard luck coz I know how hard these things can be. Wasn't at the game so havent a clue of the circumstances.