ANOTHER PRE-SEASON CLEAN SHEET
Monaghan United played eircom League Premier Division side Waterford at the University of Limerick on Saturday afternoon. After the game, manager Mick Cooke he said he was happy with the way the game had gone and delighted that in our 2 games against Premier Clubs we had not conceded a goal.
United next take on Dublin City in the last pre-season friendly this Saturday 4 March at Whitehall. Kick-off is at 7.30pm. Manager Mick Cooke has been pleased with how pre-season has gone to date and recently told www.monaghanunited.ie that he has a fair idea of his starting eleven for the opening league game against Galway United to be played at Century Homes Park on Friday 10 March. “The team is shaping up and people are beginning to find where they fit in and are settling into their roles. While we have a lot of competition for places, I now have an idea in my head as to my starting 11 for the first game of the season.”
Last year on the opening day we also played Galway United and were beaten, a result Mick and Co will be out to avenge on 10th March.
MONS WOMEN GET THEIR FIRST WIN
Monaghan United ladies won there first game with a 3-1 win over mid Ulster cup holders, Armagh City, on Monday night. Monaghan United started the game well with Jacinta Treanor being kept out by the City keeper on numerous times in the first ten minutes but the Mons were caught on the break by Armagh city and their forward had a speculative shot which Stepho Keenan saved but the ball hit the under side of the bar and bounced down over the line.
Monaghan fought hard and were playing some great football which eventually paid off when Jacinta Treanor had a shot which the Armagh keeper couldn’t hold onto and rolled over the goal line. This was a goal the girls really deserved with the build up of play before the goal.
The second half was all Mons with Armagh struggling to get out of there own half with Mons playing some great football. The girls got the lead they deserved when super-sub Suzanne Gordon beat a defender and went round the keeper to finish coolly giving the Mons a 2-1 lead which they deserved. Mons kept pushing for the third and eventually it came form a corner when Aisling Smith got the goal she deserved after a commanding performance in the centre of midfield A great win for the team which could have been more if Mons had taken more of their chances.
Manager Liam McCarey said “The girls were outstanding they deserved this success for all the effort they put in. They are learning with every game and we can only get better as the pre-season goes on. We have a strong 26 woman squad now and competition for places is fierce with the girls who started on Monday night knowing there are girls ready to take there place if they don’t perform. Now it is time for us to kick on and get a good win on Sunday away at Drogheda United ladies which wont be easy but the girls are already starting to focus on the next game after Monday’s win.”
WELL DONE GIRLS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FINNEGAN DISAPPOINTED BY RESULT
On Monday night last, Monaghan United’s Stephen Finnegan once again donned his Northern Ireland Schools Jersey to play in a friendly against England at Glenavon. Despite a fairly even game, with Northern Ireland having most of the possession and creating more chances, England went home with their scalps and a 3-0 victory. England had approximately 4 attempts on goal but made 3 of them count to leave the Northern Ireland Schools team feeling disappointed. Stephen played the full 90 minutes in Centre Midfield and felt that he had a good performance despite the result. “I felt that we put on the most pressure and created the most chances so it was hard to accept a 3-0 defeat. I thought a 1- 0 result would have been a fairer reflection” Stephen said on Tuesday night.
Despite feeling dissatisfied with the result of the England game, Stephen is looking forward to playing for the Mons on Saturday in their friendly against Dublin City and also the upcoming season. He also has more opportunities to impress on the International Schools scene when Northern Ireland take on Scotland in Dunbarr on the 3rd April.
WHEELO ON FORM FOR DIT
Monaghan United’s Paul Whelan was also busy this week playing football for his College, Dublin Institute of Technology. Wheelo was in Coleraine for the 4 day Collingwood Cup and played a good game against UCD on Tuesday evening. DIT were beaten 3-2 by their fellow Dublin College but Paul enjoyed a good run out with the team.
Paul is also looking forward to his trip to America with the College team when they travel to North Carolina on the 22nd of March. While there, DIT will play the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, the Wilmington Hammerheads (semi -pro team) and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Tar Heels). This is a great chance for Paul to gain experience and further his game.
KEVIN IS SELECTED AGAIN
It is a pleasure to report that yet again Kevin Martin has been chosen to represent his country. Monaghan United's Under-15 goalkeeper Kevin has been selected for the Ireland Under-15 Squad for the forthcoming double-header against Slovenia on Tuesday 7 March and Thursday 9 March at Home Farm’s Grounds at Whitehall in Dublin. Kick off for these matches is 7.30pm.
Kevin’s call up comes as no surprise to Monaghan United as he has already represented the Country in a tournament in Holland and has sparked interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion, who are said to be both keeping an eye on the young local lad.
Best of luck Kevin in the upcoming Internationals.
CONNOLLY’S WEST BROM ADVENTURE
Very few Under 15’s get the chance to meet one of their footballing heroes, never mind have lunch and clean their boots, yet Mark Connolly did just that while on trial at West Bromwich Albion. Mark headed over for a few days at WBA for assessment and to play a friendly game for them and while there got to train with, eat lunch and clean the football boots of the senior West Brom team including his hero Kanu. “I have been a big Arsenal fan so I really enjoyed getting the chance to talk with Kanu.” Mark said “I really enjoyed the week at West Brom, they have great facilities and really looked after us.”
The 2nd year Largy College Student is determined to try and make his dreams a reality and thanked his Coaching team of Kieran McMahon and Eamon Reilly for their help and support.
After a busy week of football, Mark had Thursday to relax before heading home. He confirmed that he has been asked to go to Holland on 13th April to play for West Brom and has also been invited back over to play for them in the Summer Nike Tour. It seems that meeting his hero is just the start of his adventure and one day Mark could be like Kanu.
Rumour has it that Mark will be selling off his Arsenal memorabilia at Sunday’s Car Boot Sale to make way for his new favourite English club in his room!
GIRLS MINI LEAGUES
Monaghan United’s Girls only Mini Leagues is back! Ever Saturday from 11am at Astro Park at Century Homes Park, there is football for all girls in the Under 16 and Under 13 age groups. If you love football and would like to play and learn the game through quality coaching and fun games, Saturday mornings at Century Homes Park are ideal for you. Come along this Saturday bringing runners (not football boots/blades/studs/mouldies) and shinguards and for the pitiful sum of €2 join in with the fun! For further information ring Julie-Ann on 085 7147500.
CONGRATS SEAN
Congratulations to Sean McCaffery on his recent Special Merit Award at the eircom Player of the Year awards which were held in the City West Hotel on Sunday night last.
CAR BOOT SALE
Don’t forget that Monaghan United FC now hold a monthly Car Boot Sale. The next sale takes place at Century Homes Park on Sunday 5th March from 10am. The cost of entering a Car is a measly €10 and a Van a pathetic €15. Come along and sell everything from books to baths! Get there early so you don’t miss the bargains.
WEBSITE
Wondering where you can find out all you need to know about Monaghan United FC? Want to keep up to date on the latest news and Schoolboy Match Reports? www.monaghanunited.ie is the place to go. Recently revamped with added features and easier access, Monaghan United FC are proud to have such an informative and comprehensive website.
Now there is even more to see with the new Women’s football section and the recent addition of an Online Shop for all your Monaghan United Merchandise.
GREG TURLEY SUITE AND BAGSTER LOUNGE
Having a party? Need somewhere for a meeting or conference? Monaghan United have the facilities you need. The Greg Turley Suite is perfect for meetings or conferences and when combined with the Bagster Lounge it provides the ideal setting for parties. The new Patio area with outside tables and bar-be-queing facilities adds another alternative to this versatile venue. Also remember the Bagster Lounge is open Monday to Sunday for a quiet drink or to watch sports on our big screen T.V.s. For further information and bookings contact Martin Kelly at 086 8937562.
