IT’S BACK!
Eircom League football is back once again at Century Homes Park from this Friday night. Monaghan United take on the West’s finest when Galway United help to open proceedings. Last season started with the Mons losing to Galway but this year, Mick and Co will be aiming to reverse the score line.
Mick has been busy over the closed season signing new and not so new talent to pull on the Magic jersey. (see profiles elsewhere) It is as always, with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, that the fans of the men in blue await the whistle that denotes the start of the new season.
Local lads Jim Murphy, Paul Smyth, Paul Whelan and Stephen Finnegan are due to feature heavily in this year’s team along with fellow county men Ger O’Callaghan and Finbar Heffernan who will be waiting in the U21 squad to take their positions on the senior team. Some of last year’s old favourites such as Robbie Horgan, Jimmy Fullam, David Lee and Barry Burke will once again be hoping to prove to the fans that they are worthy of their places but will have stiff competition in the forms of Tadhg Murphy, Brian Gannon, Shane Harte and Alan McNevin.
All in all, the season will be viewed optimistically in light of strong pre-season performances and it is hoped that the local people will come out and support their local team. C’mon the Mons!
DAMES DRUB DROGS
The Maiden Mons went into this game full of confidence after their win against Armagh and the form continued with an 8-1 win over Drogheda United Ladies.
Within 2 minutes of the start Michela Newell was in on goal when a crude challenge from the Drogs defender brought her down and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Charlene Graham who coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to open the scoring. It got even better a few minutes later when a ball from Orla Callan split the defence for Michela Newell to score. It was 2-0 to Mons within the first fifteen minutes, but then Drogheda started to waken up. After the Mons quick start the Drogs got a goal back on the half hour when a ball was played over the top of the Mons defence and the Drogheda forward shot past Stephanie Keenan. Mons were all over them before half time but couldn’t convert their chances.
The second half started like the first finished with Drogheda not able to get out of there own half and Monaghan taking control with two quick goals from Charlene Graham and Michela Newell which killed of any hope Drogheda had of winning the game. Then up stepped Orla Callan with a free kick that Robbie Horgan wouldn’t have even stopped, from 30 yards into the top corner. Then the race was on to see who would score the Magic Monettes first ever hat trick. The girls were playing some great football and the next goal came with a ball played into the box to Charlene Graham who hammered home her third and the teams seventh. Also with a couple of minutes left Sinead McCooey got the goal she deserved with a shot just inside the box. An excellent display by the Monaghan Women who, despite some heavy tackles from their Louth opposition, kept the cool and played some beautiful ball. Congrats girls on beating your first Southern team who you will no doubt meet many times in the future.
On a different note, good luck to Jacinta Treanor as she prepares to launch her new career as a singer with the band Sugarush. Jacinta and her bandmates are planning to storm the Monaghan scene with their first gig on Saturday in the Brewery (upstairs McKenna’s on Dublin Street). Don’t break a leg Jacinta!!
MORE CONGRATULATIONS
It seams these days that barely a week goes by without Monaghan United having something to celebrate and this week is no different! Once again Kevin Martin has been called up to represent his Country in goals in a friendly match against Slovenia at Home Farm’s grounds in Dublin tonight (Thursday). Kevin has featured in Vinny Butler’s squads for the last few outings and it is incredible that this young Monaghan lad continues to fight for and gain his place on the International stage. Kevin is definitely one to watch for the future and the club are delighted with his progress.
Also representing his country this week is Largy College student Ger O’Callaghan. Ger featured heavily for the Mons senior team last season despite being still in school and it is through his school, or more precisely the Irish Schools team, that Ger is getting to show the rest of the world what he can do. We at Monaghan know how talented this young winger is but now the rest of Ireland get to watch as he takes part in the Centenary Shield starting in Galway’s Terryland Park this Friday. Ger will come up against some familiar opposition in a few weeks when the Irish Schools take on the Northern Ireland Schools in this competition and Ger will be faced with Mons team mate Stephen Finnegan. Good luck to you both.
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.
SUMMER FUN CAMP
On the back of last Summer and Halloween’s successful fun camps, Monaghan United will be holding another Summer Camp in June. Details will follow shortly. Parents are reminded that all funds from the Monaghan United Camps go to further develop Juvenile football in the County and therefore help your sons and daughters get the opportunity to play football at an eircom League club.
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 2nd April 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.
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JUVENILE JOTTINGS
Monaghan Celtic Under 11’s travelled to Bay Celtic needing a win to boost confidence
after the disappointment of last week and the lads duly obliged. Monaghan started
a bit jittery taking them a while to settle on the ball, but when they did settle they took
control of the game and never looked back.
The first goal was scored by Kevin Loughran, who, after rounding a few players, stuck the ball in the corner of the net. Monaghan were dominating midfield which led to two further goals before half time scored by Fergal Mc Mahon and Conor Forde, who had a good game right of midfield.
With Monaghan in control it was a good chance to give everyone a good run out so there
was plenty of substitutions in the second half.
The second half was much the same as the first with Monaghan getting a lot of possession and they probably should have scored more than they did. Kevin Loughran opened the scoring in the second half just as he had done in the first with a well worked ball from midfield. There was good team play, which we need to keep doing if we are to win our remaining two matches. Paul Byrne scored the next after a few narrow misses and it is good to see both forwards scoring. The quality of ball coming into them was much better. To wrap up the scoring Kevin Loughran scored his hatrick and rounded off a good display by Monaghan Celtic. Final score 6-0 to Monaghan.
All the lads played very well and a number could have got man of the match but it went to Kevin Loughran for his hatrick.
TEAM: K Lynch, B Harraghy, A Croarkin, P Smyth, C Deery, M Mc Carville, F Mc Mahon, M Galligan, C Forde, K Loughran, P Byrne, B Smyth, S Owens, D Mc Carron, K Murray, F Sherry and E O' Boyle.
MANAGERS: P Owens, J Lynch and J Forde.
REMINDER TO MANAGERS: Please have all match reports in the letterbox at Century Homes Park or emailed to julieann_sherlock@hotmail.com by Monday evening.
