Magic Mons Juvenile Notes

JUVENILE JOTTINGS
National Cup Fever
Its that time of the year again where Monaghan United’s Juvenile teams come up against some of Ireland’s best underage teams in the National Cup. United have 4 teams in the last 32 of the Cup competitions and all face their opponents this weekend with a view to making it to the last 16. Monaghan United’s Under 12’s take on Kilmallock who have to make the trip up from Limerick for the 2pm kick off on Saturday while the Under 15’s take on fellow Dundalk Schoolboy League Team Walshestown in Walshestown also at 2pm on Saturday.

Sunday’s games will both be played at Century Homes Park with Monaghan United Under 14’s facing up to a strong Cherry Orchard side at 12pm. This game will bring split loyalties from Monaghan United Senior Coach Jim Kelly who’s son plays for Cherry Orchard. Monaghan United Under 13’s face a challenge in the form of one of the best of the West, Athenry. They take to the pitch at 2pm.

Good luck to the above four teams as they try to emulate last year’s success stories in the National Cup. Parents, family and friends are encouraged to go out and cheer the lads on.

MATCH REPORTS
Monaghan United U 11’s in away day thriller
The winter sun shone on a cold, dry Clancy Park in Dundalk. Home of Quay Celtic. Monaghan United were playing their first competitive match since November. This was a return fixture. Quay had nicked two quick goals in the first encounter. United were determined to show their quality this time around. United started with a raid down the left wing and a shot on target. Matthew Kavanagh and Conor Forde on the wings, supplied Brendan McQuaid and Jason Kennedy with accurate passes. David McBride and Shane Maguire in midfield kept the pressure on the Quay defence.
The ball broke from a shot on goal and Conor Forde was on hand to calmly place it in the back of the net in an instant. Monaghan 1 - Quay 0.

This provided the spur to Quay who launched a relentless attack on Monaghan. The United defence of Ciaran Neeson, Niall Donnelly, Andrew Myles and Fergal Malone absorbed everything Quay had to offer. Their disciplined use of the offside trap stopped a number of Celtic attacks. The pressure was mounting and the referee called on the teams to ease up on a number of occasions. Monaghan supporters were looking at their watches expecting the halftime whistle, when number 9 for Quay found the net. The whistle then blew for halftime. Monaghan 1- Quay 1.

Jason Carey and Ruarai Sheehan added increased pressure in the second half. The game seesawed as Celtic tried to secure a home victory. Myles Dwyer served up accurate passes from the right and midfield. Darragh Connolly in goal was outstanding, pulling off three pointblank saves.
United kept up the pressure, right full back Ciaran Neeson launched an attack down the right wing ending in a dipping shot which clipped the crossbar. Evan Doherty and Conor Curley kept the momentum for United. Callum Maguire secured the midfield. Quay Celtic with one minute left in the game broke for goal. Darragh Connolly narrowed the angle. The ball struck the crossbar and the United keeper was quick to react to the rebound. Final result Monaghan United 1- Quay Celtic 1.

While the Monaghan desire to score was palpable, in the end a draw was a fair result for these evenly matched teams. United kept their shape for most of the game and played as a team. This gave them the advantage.
TEAM: Darragh Connolly, Ciaran Neeson, Niall Donnelly, Andrew Myles, Fergal Malone, David McBride, Shane Maguire,Matthew Kavanagh, Conor Forde, Jason Kennedy, Brendan McQuaid, Jason Carey, Myles Dwyer, Evan Doherty, Ruarai Sheehan, Connor Curley, Callum Maguire, Dylan McPartland, Pauraic Murphy.Niamh Maguire

MANAGERS: Tommy Myles, Cyril Kavanagh

It was a case of “Shane’s World” on Sunday last when Monaghan United Under 12’s met Walshestown FC. The three Shanes scored all the goals to record a 6 -1 victory over a very determined Walshestown. Monaghan started brightly and scored in the 4th minute after a fine cross by Dylan McMahon found Shane Larkin on the edge of the box and he made no mistake from close range. United then appeared to go to sleep for 25 minutes and allowed Walshestown dictate the pace of the game, leveling from a free kick just before half time.

United came out determined in the second half and were 3-01 up after five minutes following goals from Shane McGuinness and Shane Hannon. Monaghan then lost a player in a bizarre refereeing decision and played out the remaining 25 minutes with 10 players. The loss galvanized United and they controlled the game defending and attacking with equal aplomb. Shane Larkin scored his second goal on the 19th minute following his trademark burst of speed. Shane McGuinness capped a wonderful display scoring his second and third goals on the 20th and 28th minutes with a display of skill that was reminiscent of a young George Best.

TEAM: John McPhillips, Keith Sheridan, Thomas Kerr, Dylan McMahon, Adrian Prunty, Conor Moynagh, Daniel Douglas, Niall Greenan, Ross McKenna, Shane Larkin, Shane McGuinness, Shane Hannon, James Clarke, Seadh Deeney, James McAllister.

MANAGER: Seamus Deeney

Monaghan United Under 15’s were held to a 0-0 draw against Dundalk side Rock Celtic at CHP on Saturday last. Both sides could have won this game on several occasions during the game but neither side could hit the back of the net. Monaghan’s Ciaran Hughes could have had a hatrick but was denied by the crossbar and a couple of chances that just went wide. Kevin Marin in goals had a good game, along with Conor Finnegan, Liam McKenna, Vinny McKenna and Niall Flynn who were very solid in defence. In the middle of the park, Dermot Malone and Emmett McArdle both had a very good game. Paul Toal and Darren Quigley worked very hard up front along with Aaron Malloy on the right wing.

A win for United could haave put us 4 points clear of Rock with a game in hand but missed chances and a bit of luck failed us on the day. Well done to all the lads involved and also it was good to see our captain Colm Reilly making a good recovery from injury. (hurry up Colm and get back soon!)

Next week’s game is a big one away to Walshestown in the National Cup and let’s hope we can continue our winning ways and get into the last 16 of the competion. We also need a good mums and dads support on the day, so come along and cheer the lads on.

TEAM: Kevin Martin, Conor Finnegan, Liam McKenna, Colm Reilly, Vinny McKenna, Niall Flynn, Dermot Malone, Ciaran Hughes, Emmett McArdle, Darren Rooney, Paul Toal, Darren Quigley, Marc Murray, Aaron Molloy, Pauric Redden, David McEntee, Berrart Turner.

MANAGERS: Paul Rooney and John Murray

Nice reports!

What other age groups do you have teams at?

We have 2 teams at U11, U12, U13 and U14 and one U15. We also had an U17 but the Dundalk Schoolboy league were unable to run with a league for U17 so we had nowhere to put them.

4 of our Juvenile teams are in the last 32 of the National Cup this year.

We have just started a girls "mini leagues" set up for girls U16 and U13.

Also have our mixed mini leagues on a Sunday morning for approx 120 boys and girls aged from 6 to 10.