Friday night sees the arrival of Shelbourne FC to Kingspan Century Park. Last season the Dublin side were very disappointed not to have gone back to the Premier Division where they believe they belong. Dundalk just pipped them at the post for the one promotional position that was available and indeed Monaghan United had a little say in the matter when we defeated them in their first visit of the season and indeed would prove to have been one of the few teams to do so.
Shels arrive here having beaten Wexford Youths 2-1 at home in what appears to have been a game they controlled from start to finish with Wexford’s goal coming against the run of play. Manager Dermot Keeley appears to have a good balance of skill and experience.
Richie Baker returns for his third time at the club and indeed had a part to play in each of the two goals at the weekend, they have also snatched up David Mc. Allister of Drogheda United from under the noses of the premier sides and he was man of the match against Wexford and they are also backed up by the very reliable Kevin Doherty formerly of Liverpool.
Shels would see their fellow metropolitans – Sporting Fingal as their main rivals for promotions this season.
On recent form Monaghan United will be a match for the best in the Division, in the first game of the season they had a real test against Longford and when they conceded the three goals in quick succession they displayed that they are not a side that ‘does panic.’
Manager Mick Cooke seems to have put a good side together, the new signings look keen and composed. I believe that he is lucky to be meeting a team of Shelbourne’s calibre so early in the season as it will be a true test of his side’s ability.
We need to get a good start to the season and if we hope to move up a division we have to beat the better teams especially at home and in Shelbourne we have one such team.
I believe that United are a team worth supporting this season and in Friday night’s game we should have a cracker. Shelbourne always bring a good support that creates a bit of atmosphere. So let’s hope we have a good crowd for the 8.p.m. kick off.
Longford Town 3 - 3 Monaghan United
Monaghan United got this season’s campaign off with a draw to Longford Town at Flancare Park on Friday night. After 10 minutes of both sides sizing each other up Longford went one up when Colm Jinks with a speculative strike lobbed United’s keeper Brendan Kennedy and straight from the kick off it was two nil when Longford’s Carmine Russo broke up the wing he passed to Gary Curran who found Jason Mc Cartney who finished to the back of the net.
Again from the restart Longford broke downfield and Derek Glynn ran onto the ball and from just inside the area he again lobbed united’s keeper. Conceding three such quick strikes would cause many a team to drop their heads, into the bargain the pitch was very treacherous condition after some very heavy downpours just before the game commenced but United settled and would go on to control most of the possession for the remainder of the game.
On 22 minutes Karl Bermingham rounded the Longford keeper and from the tightest of angles slotted the ball home. United then bombarded the Longford goal and it was sheer luck and the woodwork that kept the ball out on a number of occasions.
Longford had two good attempts from Brian Mc Carthy and Liam Lynch. Karl Birmingham should have had his second of the night when he was put clean through but the underfoot conditions caused him to dwell too long on the ball and the chance was lost when Murphy cleared down field.
Three minutes later United were awarded a free about 30 yards out and ten in from the left touch line. Sean Brennan stepped up and his shot, which appeared to be goal bound anyway struck the wall and United had their second goal of the night.
With only about 7 minutes left to the interval United tried very hard to get back on. Having suffered a shaky start in conceding the hat-trick United’s defence were now very much in control. New signings at the back Shane Grimes and Aidan Lynch were starting to look very steady.
United’s supporters were disappointed that their side went in for half time one down but their was an air of confidence about them.
After the interval Monaghan resumed the attack, Barry Clancy and Paul Whelan were raiding down the wings. Every time Sean Brennan got on the ball he caused panic in the Longford defence. The only surprise was that we had to wait all of five minutes in the second half for the equaliser.
United attacked down the left wing and the ball came to Barry Clancy and he struck across the goal and in to the far corner of the net. It was all United now, Don Tierney and Brian Gartland snuffed out anything that Longford could throw at them.
Longford were lucky not to have been reduced to 10 after a dangerous foot-block by Jim Sheridan on Paul Whelan, this was an isolated incident in what was otherwise a very sporting contest.
United introduced Darren McKenna (a recent signing from Longford) and formerly of this club for David Freeman. Jim Sheridan had a second let off of the night when he pulled down Sean Brennan in 67 minute, but the referee waved play on, even the most partisan Longford supporters knew it was a let off.
Longford introduced new signing Tom King and he looked very lively and was unfortunate not to score from a rare second half mix up between Brendan Kennedy and Brian Gartland. With just three minutes to go Karl Birmingham broke free and had only the keeper to beat when he was hacked down by Brian McCarthy about a foot outside the penalty area for a very cynical and professional foul. McCarthy was red-carded and Sean Brennan put the resulting free over the bar aided by the strong wind.
In the closing seconds United had a second call for a penalty waved away when Barry Clancy was pulled down.
Apart from the disastrous three minutes in the first half this was a fine performance by Monaghan United. They refused to panic and dug their way back into the game. The new signings look very good. It looks like a side that will score plenty of goals especially with Karl Bermingham, David Freeman and Sean Brennan up front.
Apart from the side that lined out against Longford, Manager Mick Cooke still had Aaron Mooney, Cathal O’Connor, Stephen McCrossan and Darragh Hanaphy to call from on the bench, so the panel definitely has strength in dept. The omens look good for next weeks home fixture with Shelbourne.
Footnote: United conceded no cards in this game despite the conditions when it would have been easy to make a mistimed tackle.
Longford Town:- Brendan Murphy, Ray Kenny, Stephen Gough, Jim Sheridan, Brian McCarthy, Colm Jinks, Carmine Russo, Gary Curran, Liam Lynch, Derek Glynn, Jason McCartney.
Sub used: Tom King for Russo 79mins.
Subs not used: Darragh Concannon, Shane O’Brien, Shane O’Brien, Tom King, Colm Nicholson, Michael Lee.
Yellow card: McCartney, Sheridan Red card: Brian McCarthy
Monaghan United:- Brendan Kennedy, Paul Whelan, Shane Grimes, Aiden Lynch, Brian Gartland, Don Tierney, Sean Brennan, Alan Byrne, Karl Birmingham, David Freeman, Barry Glancy.
Sub used: Darren McKenna for Freeman 84mins.
Subs not used: Aaron Mooney, Stephen McCrossan, Cathal O’Connor, Charlie Treacy.
Ref: Declan Hanney.
11/03/2009, 8:51 AM
Magicme
Whelo reaches century!
The very popular local lad Paul Whelan will be playing in his 100th league game when he lines out against Shelbourne on Friday night next. This is a fantastic achievement for Paul to reach this record at such a young age in so short a period of time despite study and other commitments.
Paul was one of Mick Cooke’s first signing after coming to the club and he has repaid Mick well with his many wholehearted performances. Paul’s two most ardent supporters and critics- his parent Eddie and Catherine are always on the sidelines encouraging him on and he has done them proud. We wish Paul the best of luck and hope he will have many more centuries with the club.
Under 13’s
Monaghan Unites 3 Rock Celtic 7
Monaghan United played hosts to league leaders Rock Celtic at Gortakeegan on Saturday last. United took to the field with a depleted squad due to illness to a number of our players.
On a wet and windy day United’s captain for the day Donal Deeney got the game started by winning the toss and deciding to play with the wind. This proved to be a good decision and it was not long before Conor Mc. Carthy had the ball in the net for Monaghan with a great left foot strike. Monaghan continued to keep the pressure on Rock Celtic and were rewarded with another goal from Jason Mc. Hugh. However some decisive errors allowed Rock get back into the game.
Monaghan had another goal from Jason Mc. Hugh which left the scorline 4-3 in favour of Rock Celtic at half time and in the second half they took advantage of the wind and scored a further 3 goal without reply from Monaghan. Even with the depleted side Monaghan could have had something from this match but will need to work more on the training pitch.
We wish Conor Mc. Donnell of Rock Celtic a speedy recovery from a nasty injury he sustained in the match.
The team :- Conor Forde, Mark Hetherington, Donal Deeney, Niall Donnelly, Christopher Rice, Conor Mc. Carthy, Fergal Mc. Mahon, Jason Mc. Hugh, Luke Kilroan, David Mc. Alister, Kevin Loughran, Jack Turley
Ladies Football
Monaghan United Ladies continue their Pre season training this Friday night at the Monaghan Leisure Centre @7pm sharp and they have their first of 3 friendly games this Sunday against Armagh City Ladies at Holm Park,Armagh.Players to meet at the club house at 1pm sharp.
The following Sunday Utd Ladies are away to Northern Ireland champions Glentoran and on Sunday 29th March they play Donegal Celtic (Belfast), Derry City Ladies and Lagan Harps Ladies (Letterkenny) in a tournament in Belfast.
New members are always welcome, no experience necessary, just come out and give it a go.
Contact Padraig 087-6333503.
11/03/2009, 8:52 AM
Magicme
TABLE QUIZ THURSDAY NIGHT
The Monaghan United Schoolboy section are hosting a Table Quiz on Thursday night in the Squealing Pig. Quiz kicks off at 9pm and tables of 4 cost €20.
These quizzes are a great night’s fun and will raise important funds for the United’s Schoolboys.
ITCHYHEAD SCRATCH THE MONS SURFACE
Documentary makers Itchyhead Productions will be at Kingspan Century Park on Friday night as part of their documentary on the League of Ireland. The group based in DCU will be interviewing fans and capturing images from the game against Shelbourne on Friday night.
MINI LEAGUES ON DISPLAY
The Under 8’s section of the Monaghan Credit Union Mini Leagues will be showing what they have learned so far with a small display game at half time at Friday night’s Monaghan United game against Shelbourne in the FAI League of Ireland First Division.
All children taking part must be in the ground no later than 8.30 and coaches Ciaran and Euan will be in the club house to organise them for their pitch invasion at half time.
Any children not at mini leagues last Sunday who wish to take part should contact Julie-Ann on 086 0417009 before lunchtime Friday.
GIRLS FOOTBALL TRAINING
Monaghan United commenced the Under 13’s girls coaching programme last Sunday morning at Kingspan Century Park and hope that more girls will turn up this Sunday to avail of the coaching.
Girls training is from 11am to 12pm. All girls under 13 welcome.
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Monaghan United invite all Mini Leagues and Schoolboy players to participate under the Monaghan United banner at the Monaghan Town St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Any children interested in taking part should contact Julie-Ann on 086 0417009.
