HOLIDAYS OVER FOR UNITED SENIOR TEAM
Monaghan United hope to get their eircom League campaign back on track with a win in Cobh this Saturday night. Monaghan beat Cobh Ramblers in our home game earlier in the season and it will hopefully be a refreshed and newly determined team who take to the pitch at St Colman's Park. The Mons 3-1 victory over Ramblers last time out is the only victory Monaghan have had this season despite some good displays of football and some spirited team performances. Mick Cooke will have hoped that the 2 week break from football will have given the squad time to relax and rejuvenate and hopefully re-start the league positively. Many of the players will see this as their last chance to prove themselves in the run up to the July transfer window which is only around the corner and many will be fighting to stay at Mons.
Kick off in Cobh is at 7.45pm.
Monaghan only have a few days to recover from Cobh when they take on Finn Harps on the Tuesday night at home with an 8pm kick off on the 27th of June. Monaghan will be looking to extract revenge for the 4-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of Harps last month.
WOMEN’S WINING WAYS CONTINUE
The Maiden Mons showed their skill in their league fixture against Dundalk “B” at Oriel Park on Monday night last (19th June) when they managed to comprehensively beat the Louth team on the synthetic surface. The women’s constant training on Astro Park at Century Homes Park appeared to have paid dividends when they didn’t seem in the slightest bit fazed by the Oriel carpet.
Dundalk had first kick of the ball but United took control almost immediately and won a corner in the first minute. This came to nothing but set the tone for the first half where Monaghan had the bulk of the possession. United opened their account when Charlene Graham hit the back of the net with a well taken free kick from the corner of the box only minutes into the game. Orla Callen added to the score sheet shortly after when she made a solo run from almost the middle of the field, this was to be followed less than a minute later by Michaela Newell adding to the tally with a fine strike.
The women were then caught offside on a couple of occasions and despite Jacinta Treanor doing her best “Speedy Gonzales” impressions and making many foraging runs into the Dundalk half, Monaghan could not find the net. Dundalk got their first real chance of the game and surged into the Monaghan half but they were met with some confident defending from Caroline Kavanagh and their best effort was thwarted when goalie Stephanie Keenan managed to stop them scoring. Once again Dundalk managed to infiltrate the Mons half of the pitch but to no avail.
In answer to this few minutes of Dundalk dominance, Michaela sent a header into Aine Mulligan who set Jacinta up for her first goal of the game. A good pass from Aisling Smyth to Charlene was the set up for Jacinta to score a brace and make it 5 nil moments later. Stepho was called into service again shortly after this but made easy work of the Dundalk attempt and Monaghan were soon back on the goal quest. Jacinta won a corner and sent it into the box where Orla managed to get a head to it and increase Monaghan’s lead to 6-0.
Dundalk’s keeper managed to hold Jacinta back from getting her hattrick for another while with some fine saves. Dundalk then went on the attack again in an attempt to get on the score sheet but Stepho and Co were ready for them and prevented the renaissance of the home team. Sinead McCooey defended well and sent the ball back into the Dundalk half where Charlene Graham went on one of her trademark runs dodging defenders to slip the ball through the Dundalk goalies legs and gain another goal.
Monaghan United were worried moments later when Aisling Smyth and Michelle Gillanders clashed heads. Smythy came out the worse of the clash and was sidelined for a few minutes as she tried to recover. Jacinta put the smiles back on United’s faces when she lobbed the keeper to get her hattrick.
Dundalk once more fought back and tried to get into the game but their efforts were saved by Stepho who played a blinder of a game. Pamela Treanor, Sinead McCooey, Michele Gillanders and Caroline Kavanagh all worked hard with Stepho and the midfield of Aisling and Charlene ensured that Monaghan went in at half time with a clean sheet and 8-0 up.
The second half was a much more dead affair with little chances being made by Monaghan. Caroline Kavanagh and Sinead McCooey were replaced at the start of the half by Brenda O’Neill and Donna Toal with Nwanneka Chukwuemka replacing an injured Jacinta Treanor, who took a bad knock early in the second half. The game had barely restarted when Aine’s hard work paid off and she chested down a ball and ran for goal with only the keeper to beat. She kept a cool head and easily slotted it past the goalie to bring Monaghan’s tally to 9 goals. Despite some more attempts Monaghan didn’t really look like scoring after that and sat back a bit and allowed Dundalk to play some good football. They were happy in the knowledge that they had the victory in the bag and were possibly looking forward to Wednesday night’s clash against Rosemount Mulvey in Dublin in the DWSL Inter Shield competition.
It was a great team performance, particularly in the first half and one which they will hope to replicate in the cup game. Their next home game is this Sunday 25th June at 12.30pm against St Francis in the WFAI Cup.
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.
Registrations are still being accepted 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 or give to Monaghan United Officials who will be collecting them at Mini Leagues on Sunday mornings.
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.
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.
