Mons Notes 13th June 2006

NO WALK IN THE PARK FOR VILLA! (Courtesy of www.monaghanunited.ie)

Monaghan United Ladies made it 2 wins from 2 games in the league in a hard-fought win over Navan side Parkvilla at Century Homes Park on Sunday. Three times United took the lead and three times Parkvilla responded with an equaliser, before second-half goals from Charlene Graham and Jacinta Treanor earned the win for United.

United's first goal came when a clever back-heel released Suzanne Gordon in the penalty area and her cross-cum-shot was steered home by Jacinta Treanor.
However, Parkvilla responded when they broke quickly following a United corner and with goalkeeper Michelle Gillanders undecided whether to come out to try and intercept a long through-ball, their young number 10 finished well.
United's 2nd came when Orla Callan powered home a header from Charlene Graham's free kick from the right. Parkvilla responded with another well-taken goal which floated over the head of Gillanders in the United goal.

With Suzanne Gordon's clever running off-the-ball and Charlene Graham releasing her from the left, United were causing the Parkvilla defence a lot of trouble. The third goal came when Orla Callan pounced on a rebound and scored with a sweetly struck shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner.
However, yet again Parkvilla came back, this time with a penalty which was correctly awarded by referee Seamus Finnegan although a soft one for United to concede. Half-time score 3-3.

The second-half started with United reverting to a 3-5-2 formation, with Suzanne Gordon playing in the back three to help deal with the long balls which had been causing trouble in the United defence. It is a measure of how much the ladies have learned in the past months that they were easily able to adapt to the new formation. Michaela Newell came on for Nwaaneka Chembueka on the right side of midfield and had an impressive second half.

United survived an early scare with a low shot flying just wide of the post. They had some good chances before breaking the deadlock. Orla Callan beat the Parkvilla offside trap before unleashing a shot that hammered off the bar. Charlene Graham in support picked up the rebound and finished calmly.

In the closing minutes a speedy run down the right from the Jacinta Treanor was finished with a superb low shot to leave the final score Monaghan United 5 Parkvilla 3.

This was a tough test for the ladies in hot conditions and they will have learned a lot from the game. Manager Liam McCarey said after the game "it was a tough game, we didn't play well but we grinded out the result. The first half we just couldn't cope with the long balls. In the end I am happy to have got the 3 points."

DUNDALK NEXT ON WOMEN’S HITLIST
Monaghan United’s women’s team take on Dundalk FC B team at Oriel Park on Monday night with a 7.15 kick off. This will be Monaghan’s first away game in the league and their first time to play on the synthetic surface at Oriel Park. Dundalk are currently second from bottom of the league having only won one of their 4 matches this season. Monaghan are currently chasing Drogheda United for first place with the Mons having a game in hand over their Louth counterparts.

SINGING WHILE SHE’S WINNING
United’s Jacinta Treanor shows that not only is she talented on the pitch but also on the stage when the band she co-fronts with her sister, “Sugar Rush”, release their new single in the coming weeks. Jacinta opened the scoring for Monaghan United Ladies against Parkvilla last Sunday and followed up with another goal later in the game to seal a 5-3 victory against the Navan side. Good luck with the single release Jacinta & Co!

UNDER 21’S FIXTURES ANNOUNCED (Courtesy of www.monaghanunited.ie)
The fixture list for this season's Dr Tony O'Neill Under-21 League has been released. Monaghan United are in a tough Northern Section with 3 Premier Division sides - Derry City, Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United - as well as a strong Finn Harps side, Dundalk, Mullingar Town and Letterkenny Rovers. However, United will be very hopeful of making the play-off stages after a strong finish to their pre-season tournament campaign.
The opening league for John Heffernan's side is at home to Drogheda United.

FIXTURES
Week ending Sunday 25 June Monaghan United v Drogheda United
Week ending Sunday 2 July Dundalk v Monaghan United
Week ending Sunday 9 July Derry City v Monaghan United
Week ending Sunday 16 July Enda McGuill Cup 1st Round
Week ending Sunday 23 July Monaghan United v Letterkenny Rovers
Week ending Sunday 6 August Enda McGuill Cup 2nd Round
Week ending Sunday 13 August Mullingar Town v Monaghan United
Week ending Sunday 20 August Enda McGuill Cup Quarter Finals
Week ending Sunday 27 August Monaghan United v Finn Harps
Week ending Sunday 3 September Drogheda United v Monaghan United
Tuesday 5 September Enda McGuill Cup Semi-finals
Week ending Sunday 10 September Monaghan United v Dundalk
Week ending Sunday 17 September Monaghan United v Derry City
Week ending Sunday 24 September - Back Matches
Tuesday 26 September Enda McGuill Cup Final
Week ending Sunday 1 October Letterkenny Rovers v Monaghan United
Week ending Sunday 8 October Sligo Rovers v Monaghan United
Week ending Sunday 15 October Monaghan United v Mullingar Town
Week ending Sunday 22 October Finn Harps v Monaghan United
Week ending Sunday 5 November - Last 16 Knockout
Week ending Sunday 12 November - Quarter-finals
Week ending Sunday 19 November - Semi-finals
Week ending Sunday 26 November – Final

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.

The final date for registering for camp has been extended to 19th June but hurry as the kit has been ordered and we need to ensure that correct kit is made available for your child. Post to : Summer Camp, Monaghan United FC, Century Homes Park, Monaghan, drop in letterbox at Century Homes Park.

CAR BOOT SALE
Don’t forget that Monaghan United FC now hold a monthly Car Boot Sale. Last Sunday’s sale was a major success with many people wheeling and dealing in the sun! The next sale takes place at Century Homes Park on Sunday 2nd July 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.

So visit www.monaghanunited.ie and make sure you are kept in the picture.

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. For further information and bookings contact Martin Kelly at 086 8937562.