Limerick 1 - 1 Monaghan Utd
Still pinching myself that that was a Limerick home match that I was at, compared to the misery of the last few years. Hogan Park was looking very impressive, stand full, crowds queuing outside 15 minutes into the game, decent match programme.....a bit surreal but if this is only the beginning I can't wait to see what two years down the line holds for us!
Regards the game, Monaghan were well worth their lead at half-time, they looked slick whereas we looked disjointed. It was the other way around in the second half, although we should have been punished twice on the break. Derek's appearance was the turning point for me, I can't see anything in CP O'Brien that says he's a better option than Derek. I'll follow SLK's lead and give a player by player rating.
1. Noel Mooney - Didn't have much to do but looked a bit slow when coming off his line, thought his positioning was a bit suspect and his distribution was poor too. Looks a bit of a shaper to me, needs to be more assured. 6/10
2. Stephen O'Mahony - Thought Stephen was poor throughout, even in the second half when we were on top he gave little support to Nolan. Passing and distribution was very poor. Needs a haircut. 6/10
3. Mark Tobin - Solid throughout. Good in the tackle. Reserved going forward though and was happy to leave all the work to Donnelan - 7/10
4. Anthony Wolfe - Looks a decent player but it's hard to judge a centre half on one game. I thought our defense were very suspect through the middle tonight, Monaghan should have scored more. Only time will tell if Wolfe is the weak link here. Was unlucky not to score with a header late in the second half - 7/10
5. Paul Finucane - Paul played well, solid performance, but found it difficult against a very physical Monaghan attack. A real threat from corners and set-pieces at the other end - 7/10
6. Brendan Hughes - Didn't make any impression on the game for my money, one of the reasons we were overrun in the first half. Improved in the second, but looks like a Mattie Holland type to me - full of running without really doing anything meaningful 6/10
7. Jamie Nolan - His ability to take players on and beat them is excellent, as is his close control in tight situations. His crossing and distribution however needs improving, although the former improved as the game went on. Looks like he could be a very good player in time. 7/10
8. Tommy Barrett - Worked hard all night and looks like a good motivator. Could do with a good ball playing midfielder alongside him, which would free him up to work box to box. Brendan Sweeney would have been ideal. Should have gone down for a penalty in the second half. - 7/10
9. CP O'Brien - Offered nothing all night. I'm not one of the anti-CP brigade as I didn't get to many home games last season, but I thought he was our least effective player tonight. Control was poor, passing was worse. No understanding with Robbie Kelliher at all. Doesn't look like a striker who can play well with his back turned to goal. Will be a bench warmer unless he livens up - 5/10
10. Robbie Kelleher - I thought Kelliher was superb. To look at him you wouldn't think he was much of a threat but in truth he has everything. Workrate, passion, aggression, heading ability, link play, plus I thought his ability to play with his back turned to goal was excellent, especially his turn and shot at the death. Was unlucky to hit the bar with a header in the first - 9/10
11. Brian Donnellan - One of our constant threats all night. Had the beating of his man on almost every occasion. Forced a great save from the keeper in the first, and scored a great goal. Faded a bit after the goal and it was comical that he wasn't sent off for flooring a Monaghan player in the latter stages. Only criticism of him is that his final ball could be better at times - 8/10
Subs:
Derek McCarthy (for CP. O'Brien) - His introduction was the turning point for me as he offered a focal point to our attack. He linked well with Kelliher and Donnelan and by just looking for the ball and laying it off he began to open up the Monaghan defence. Played on the shoulder of the last defender as well, which always puts pressure on the opposing defence. Was unlucky not to score with an excellent glancing header. 8/10
Conor Molan (for B. Hughes) - Not on long enough to rate
On a side note, did anyone notice that the referee Conor Fitzgerald was the
spit of Frank Skinner the comedian? :D
