UCD 0-1 Monaghan

[Poor Student]

This result has been texted to me by Harpo. A goal by McNevin. Lineup according to Harpo and my memory was:

Some guy who's name I should have remembered in goal, Mahon, D. Ryan, McNally, Kenna, McDonnell, Harte, Hurley, Cawley, McWalter, Sammon.

I'm sure Harpo will confirm the positions and tell us of the performance later.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Sholy Hit

[Poor Student]

Well we were missing our two internationals. Plus it was the first game of the season. Oh did I mention we were down two stars due to having Dicker and Quigley called up to the Irish U-21s?

[HarpoJoyce]

This result has been texted to me by Harpo. A goal by McNevin. Lineup according to Harpo and my memory was:

Some guy who's name I should have remembered in goal, Mahon, D. Ryan, McNally, Kenna, McDonnell, Harte, Hurley, Cawley, McWalter, Sammon.

Superb memory Poor,
UCD
Jimmy Hussey;Mahon (James Lee Mathews 67'), D. Ryan (David Last 60')McNally(Aaron McEniff 60'), Kenna; McDonnell, Hurley(Gerard Murray 67'), Alan Cawley, McWalter; Sammon, Doyle (Conan Byrne 67').

Monaghan Utd.
Horgan (substitute);P. Finnegan (S. Finnegan), Keyes (Mckeogh), Sargeant (O'Shea), Cronin; Harte, Gannon, Fullam (Burke),R. Smith (Lee);McNevin (McCann),P. Smith

First pre-season friendly of the year at Belfield Park, showed how far away UCD are from where they need to be to compete in the Premier Division this season. Still, both teams played a relaxed game of football.

We started the first-half well with balls knocked up from Mahon, McWalter and Hurley to the two new forwards Derek Doyle and Conor Sammon. Who have been part of the two-in-row U21 championship team. But in the absence of any of last years strikers, it may take a while for the team to get a cutting edge.

UCD left holes at the back which Mon U. exploited through counter-attacks later in the half, Shane Harte (I think) clipping the crossbar and Jimmy Hussey tidying up and positioning himself for strikes from the edge of the box. UCD defence were very square too many times.

Monaghan got their goal early in the second half, free on the right-side of the box, low ball Alan McNevin got a toe to it in the six-yard box.

UCD kept plugging away through the raft of changes from both teams which started at half-time. McWalter hit the post, both Monaghan keepers (at different times in the match) made brave saves and were stretched. McDonnell made the sub-keeper save with a floated header.

Sammon held the ball up and kept chasing right through the game, he'll need alot of support in midfield. A midfield where Alan Cawley played very deep at the start of his second spell with UCD.

Finally, David Last, who replaced another returnee Darragh Ryan, did the simple things right.

[Poor Student]

I'd be interested to know if Paul Byrne, Damien Kelly, Shane Long and Ronan Finn are still at the club. I'd have expected them to figure at some point. Bizarre choice of a front pairing in Sammon and Doyle. Disappointing to hear the defence looking a bit dodgy though it's early days. How was the pitch btw?

[HarpoJoyce]

Doyle and Sammon know each other well from the u21s.

The pitch was fine. Maybe a little dewey, but I believe the groundstaff have that in hand.

After Edit:

Yea, I kew I forgot something. Newguy's new nickname with his team is "Gan-o", of all things.
His family were there too.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Couldn't score against a First Division team how depressing is that ?

[CollegeTillIDie]

Well we were missing our two interationals. Plus it was the first game of the season. Oh did I mention we were down two stars due to having Dicker and Quigley called up to the Irish U-21s?

They flew home last night and could have played

[monutdfc]

Pretty fair assessment. We were pleased with the win and the clean sheet, but pre-season friendlies are always poor barometers of teams imo.
Gann-o has impressed for us, the best of our new signings imo.
Special mention for your announcer and his "multiplicity" of substitutions in the second half

[Poor Student]

Doyle and Sammon know each other well from the u21s.

I know that Harpo but as far as I was concerned Doyle has been a left winger both at senior and U-21 level.

The pitch was fine. Maybe a little dewey, but I believe the groundstaff have that in hand.

I see monutdfc is mentioning the announcer so I see it was actually played in our hollowed ground.

They flew home last night and could have played

You'd risk them immediately after coming back for a pre-season friendly instead of giving them a little rest?

[CollegeTillIDie]

You'd risk them immediately after coming back for a pre-season friendly instead of giving them a little rest?

10 minutes as subs why not?

[thegit]

Dicker played 3 games in 5 day's and Quigley played in 2 games, and you don't see a reason to rest them for a nothing pre-season friendly....good idea burnout your 2 best players before the season starts.

[Magicme]

You may have been missing your 2 U21 heroes but we were also missing our Republic of Ireland Schools International player Ger O'Callaghan. His Northern Ireland Schools counterpart (Stephen Finnegan) was playing but he was a bit reserved in his tackling and didnt push himself too hard coz he has some important schools games coming up. We were also missing our Irish Colleges rep (Paul Whelan) due to injury!

It was a great way to spend a sunday afternoon. Went home happy that our lads put on a good display without really breaking a sweat. David Lee has improved since last saw him against Armagh and I hope he continues to improve as he gets back to full fitness after his disasterous injury last season. Also great to see Barry Burke playing so well! There will be fierce competition for positions this season which can only be good.

Really looking forward to taking on Waterford next weekend now and hope that Jim Murphy will be back. Oh and btw our reserve goalie is Tadhg Murphy.

Brian Gannon was great and his work rate amazing so can see how you had so much praise for him. Oh and his family are lovely!

[pineapple stu]

Dicker played 3 games in 5 days and Quigley played in 2 games, and you don't see a reason to rest them for a nothing pre-season friendly....good idea burnout your 2 best players before the season starts.

Can't argue with that really. Put them in for the Rovers game and one of the games this weekend and that's plenty. They're already well up to speed with the two/three games under their belt in Madeira.

I see no Robbie Martin either. Injured or left, as predicted on here before? Another big loss, I think.

Magicme, I hope you're not comparing one Irish Schools international to two Irish U-21 internationals?

[thegit]

Martin has left and will not be back this season. I even heard he might be on his way to Longford in exchange for one there centre forwards.