Monaghan United Notes 16. 2. 2010
MONS PRESEASON NOT DUN’ YET
Monaghan United v Dundalk
Continuing with our pre-season preparations Monaghan United entertain old rivals, Dundalk FC at Gortakeegan on Friday 26th February, kick off at 8.p.m. Even though this is a friendly game, undoubtedly like all previous meetings between these sides, there will a competitive edge to the game and the Premier Division side expects to bring a good following with them.
United expect to see a good home support for this game as the old rivalries are stirred up once more. In his preparation for the incoming season Mick Cooke is concentrating on friendlies with Premier opposition and in the two previous encounters against Sporting Fingal and UCD the team performed impressively showing they are almost ready for the battle for Promotion in 2010. As both games were away from home, the Dundalk encounter is a good chance for the locals to get a pre-season judgment of the squad assembled and shake off the cobwebs of a football free winter break.
POTENTIAL PROVEN AGAINST PREMIER SIDE
UCD 2 – 0 Monaghan United
The pre-season build up continued last Sunday when Monaghan United travelled to Belfield to play newly promoted premier side UCD. The game took place at the Foster Avenue Grounds at the college.
The venue for the traveling Monaghan support, was reminiscent of an old Gortakeegan when United first played there, and reminded them of how far the stadium has progressed since a ball was first kicked there. On our arrival even the goal posts were missing but it wasn’t long until the army of good volunteers that ever club depends on had everything in place for the 2.p.m. kick off. It also proves it’s not facilities but the football that counts in the end, who needs licensing?
It was a keenly contested affair and the home side took the lead in the opening minute from a corner kick which their number 7 Graham Rusk met it at the near post and squeezed the ball inside the upright. Some minutes later Karl Bermingham came close to getting the equaliser when he headed over from a good in swinging pass from the wing by Shane Grimes.
United started with Philly Hughes and he was the play maker up front and it was a good move involving himself and Bermingham that put Barry Clancy through for a close attempt. UCD had a number of good strikes on goal however on each occasion keeper Darren Kelly was very alert and dealt confidently with each attempt, good defending also saw to it that such attempts were from distance. The back four of Stefan McKevitt, Shane Grimes, Aidan Lynch and Brian Gartland protected their area well.
In another good chance for the Mons, Hughes was sent through by Don Tierney and his goal bound strike was deflected into the side netting for a corner from which Clancy got on the end of, only to strike the post. UCD should have gone two up only for a brilliant save from a confident and competent Kelly.
At the start of the second half Mick Cooke brought on Conor McMahon for Gartland and Alan Byrne for Stephen McCrossan and it was Byrne who came close from what could be described as a half chance. UCD also made a number of changes. On the hour mark the United keeper brought off another excellent save from Ciaran Nangle unfortunately for the keeper Cathal O’ Connor was adjudged to have fouled the striker from behind and a penalty was awarded from which Sean Harding sent UCD two up.
Anthony Costigan replaced Lynch on 61 minutes and shortly afterwards local lad Philip Donnelly got his chance when he replaced O’ Connor. Gabriel Sava replaced Kelly in goal and although he looked confident he wasn’t really tested. All of the changes took the edge out of the game, however United tried hard to get on the score sheet and even with the introduction of Darragh Hanaphy for Clancy and Tommy Stein for Tierney didn’t alter the score line.
The travelling support would have liked to have seen their side score but at least they did see some excellent chances created and watched a good run out for the team. This was a wholehearted performance, a few of the players are short of the fitness that they displayed last season and after this game they now know the level they have to achieve. UCD were an excellent and consistent side last season and it wasn’t surprising that they were promoted and they will do well in the Premier Division.
The management team of Mick and Pat were satisfied with the overall performance. Sunday’s game gave them the chance to experiment with different players in different positions and gave them an opportunity to see what work is still to be done.
The teams: UCD: Billy Brennan Sean Harding, Brian Shorthall, Andrew Boyle, Ciaran Nangle, Robbie Creevy, Greg Bolger, Peter McMahon, Graham Rusk, Chris Mulhall, Ciaran Kilduff.
Subs Stephen Roche for Creevet (h/t), David Mc Millan for Ruske (h/t),Mark Mc. Ginlay for Brennan (61), Gareth Matthews for Nangle (61), Keith Ward for Mc. Mahon (61), Sean Huston for Kilduff (61),Mark Russell for Mulhall(72)
Monaghan: Darren Kelly, Stefan Mc. Kevitt, Shane Grimes, Aidan Lynch, Brian Gartland, Don Tierney, Cathal O’ Connor, Stephen Mc. Crossan, Karl Bermingham, Philip Hughes, Barry Clancy.
Subs: Conor Mc. Mahon for Gartland(H.T.), Alan Byrne for Mc. Crossan (H.T.), Anthony Costigan for Lynch (61), Darragh Hanaphy for Bermingham (64), Gabriel Sava for Kelly (67), Philip Donnelly for O’Connor (70), Tommy Stein for Tierney (82)
Referee -Paul Tuite
FIRST TEAM TRAINING AT GORTAKEEGAN
On Saturday 20th February training will take place at Monaghan United’s Regional Development Centre at Gortakeegan. The itinerary for the day will commence with the 1st. training session at 11.a.m. followed by a break for lunch and the next training session will commence at 2.p.m. followed by a training match.
Any players in the region aged from 17 to 20 years are invited to attend this session in preparation for the Under-20 League. Anyone interested in taking part should be at Gortakeegan for 10.45am. This will be a good opportunity to meet and speak with both management and players.
MINI LEAGUES – SENIOR MENTORS
With the Monaghan United Senior team training at the Regional Development Centre more regularly for the coming season, children participating in the Mini Leagues will reap the rewards! On Sunday 21st of February, following pre-season training on Saturday, the Monaghan United senior team will be taking up their roles as mentors for the youngest club members.
This programme will see Senior Squad members acting as coaches to the mini leagues and giving them advice and encouragement as they strive to become successful footballers. The first hand knowledge of League of Ireland football that the mentors will impart on the youngsters will hopefully help them to develop and feel a desire to follow in their hero’s footsteps.
Children participating in the Mini Leagues will also get the opportunity to come into the dressing room before LOI games to see how the team prepare and will get the chance to be mascot or ball boys at games.
Any Children wishing to play football at Monaghan United’s Mini Leagues should come along this Sunday Morning and register. Registration of €30 for the second half of the season may be made to Coaches or Julie-Ann on Sunday mornings.
Children aged from 5yrs – 8yrs play at 11.a.m. to 12 noon and 9yrs-12yrs play from noon to 1.p.m.
A coach and separate cage will be provided if there are enough girls who wish to play football.
The first coaching session with the Senior players on Sunday 21st February is open to children from all clubs or those who are not currently with any club. Come and join the fun!
WHELAN SIGNS FOR SLIGO
Within a week of Monaghan United releasing local lad and Mons legend Paul Whelan, he has signed for “The Bit ‘o’ Red”, Sligo Rovers. His move to Sligo makes him a full time professional footballer and the step up to the Premier is only as much as he deserves.
Monaghan United would like to thank Paul for his 13 years of service and we hope he is very successful in the Premier Division.
Hopefully at some point in his future Paul will again feature for Monaghan United and we will again hear the familiar “Whelo-Whelo” chant ring out from the stand.
2010 SEASON TICKET ON SALE NOW
Monaghan United Season Tickets for 2010 are now on sale. Prices for 2010 are the same as last year and they are available in the online shop also by cheque (made payable to Monaghan United FC)
Prices: Adult €140 Family €180 (2 adults & up to 4 children under 16 yrs)
1/2 Season ticket: Adult €70 Family €90
Season tickets offer great value for the fan who wishes to come to all or most of Monaghan United's home FAI League of Ireland games for 2010 season.
ASTRO
Fed up of matches being cancelled due to unplayable pitches? Need somewhere for your team to train? Monaghan United Regional Development Centre Astro Pitch is the perfect venue for all your needs.
To make a booking on the Monaghan United Astro pitch contact 087 7665669.
GOLD MEMBERS DRAW
The date for the first draw has been fixed for Friday 26th February (after the pre-season friendly against Dundalk FC) in the clubhouse.
We would ask all promoters to have their tickets in as soon as possible.
Anyone wishing to purchase a ticket contact Clubhouse 047 84798 or contact any club member.
The Gold Members draw is an easy way for you to contribute to the continuation of Senior football in County Monaghan and to support the development of top class facilities for all who play football in Monaghan.
