Mons Juvenile Jottings March 28

SUMMER CAMP 2006
Monaghan United FC will be running their annual Summer Fun Soccer Camp starting on 3rd July to the 7th July at Century Homes Park and Astro Park. The summer camp is an important part of Monaghan United’s annual fundraising to provide great footballing facilities for everyone in the County. We would ask that all parents whose children play football at Monaghan United send their children to this camp to help ensure that your child has football in the future years.

Under 14’s Monaghan United 5 Bay United 0.
In a tight opening period, both sides battled hard to gain control of the play. The teams played contrasting styles of football, as Bay United defended deeply, launching long balls out of defense, while Monaghan United looked to get the ball down and play their usual passing game. Monaghan United settled early in this encounter, enjoying plenty of possession and patiently trying to create openings. Glen Calvert and Niall Mc Keown were unlucky early with a few half chances. The Mons had the better of the play early on and they stretched the Bay defense many times. Marty Hanley found Eugene Smyth with a lovely pass out on the right wing and Smyth raced past the full back onto the end line, but he sliced his cross and the ball went harmlessly out for a goal kick.

Indeed, it was from one of these runs and crosses that Mons broke the deadlock. Smyth's cross was only partially cleared with the ball looping up into the air. As the ball dropped, Marty Hanley's excellent first touch set himself up and he let fly with a rasping half volley from well outside the box, which gave the Bay keeper no chance and hit the top left corner of the net. A fine candidate for goal of the season. United upped the tempo and Conor Callan scored a cracker from a free kick on the left after a foul on Dean Mc Mahon. Conor scored his second and the Mons third from a spot kick after a handball incident. The Mons went in at half time in total control, three goals to the good. This could have been more except for a couple of outstanding saves by the Bay keeper David Kierans .

Kevin Martin in goal for the Mons had very little to do in the match, helped by his back four of Paul Sherlock, Conor Toal, Mark Connolly and Dean Mc Mahon who were solid throughout the match. Eugene Smyth, Marty Hanley, Niall Hahassey and Conor Callan in midfield tormented the Bay defense all day and Niall Mc Keown and Glen Calvert worked tirelessly up front. Monaghan continued to pressurize the visitors' defense and might have increased their lead even further, when Niall Hahassey blasted the ball just wide after doing all the hard work. In the second half Kelvin Mc Entee replaced goalscorer Conor Callan on the left, as The Mons continued to take the game to their opponents. Charlie Mc Donald came on for Mc Mahon, Gary Woods replaced Smyth, Baraat Turker replaced Connolly and James Conlon replaced Hahassey. With 15 minutes left Charlie Mc Donald coolly lobbed the keeper after receiving a great pass from Gary Woods. Calvert had settled well into the center of defense with Toal and Mc Keown and Hanley were pulling the strings in midfield when James Conlon laid a neat ball to Marty Hanley to chip the keeper and make it 5 for the Mons.

Man of the match :Marty Hanley.

TEAM: Kevin Martin, Paul Sherlock, Conor Toal, Mark Connolly, Dean Mc Mahon, Eugene Smyth, Niall Hahassey, Marty Hanley, Conor Callan, Glen Calvert, Niall Mc Keown, Gary Woods, Charlie Mc Donald, Kelvin Mc Entee, James Conlon, Baraat Turker.

Managers: Kieran Mc Mahon, Eamon O Reilly.

Dundalk Schoolboys League Tables as at 16th March 2006