United ‘bridge The Gap With Galway

Monaghan United’s first pre-season friendly showed that the tough pre-season training regime in place is reaping benefits. A fit and resolute team took to the pitch at Shriven Rovers, Newbridge, Co. Galway and brought Galway’s elation at being in the Premier Division back down to earth with a bit of a bump.

From the start Monaghan were out for the Galway scalp Early in the game Khalid Hussain was trying to set Willie Doyle and Kevin Williamson up and it was down to Galway’s defence to prevent Doyle from getting a goal within minutes of the game kicking off.

Some great passing play from the Mons set Williamson up for a clear shot on goal but the ball went just over. Galway came back at them but it wasn’t long until Monaghan were pushing home for goal again. Aaron Mooney’s superb free kick approximately 10 minutes into the game left the Galway goalie Dimitri Brinias floundering well off his line but by the time Robbie Farrell got the ball under control to fire one in, Brinias had made it back and gave Mons a corner. United were unable to make anything of the corner and after a few minutes Galway were on their way back down the pitch.

Darren McQuaid in the Monaghan goals was caught on the hop and Galway centre forward Chris Armstrong made him pay as he slotted the ball past putting Galway in the lead on the 12th minute. Despite Galway seemingly having gotten their act together, United’s Finbar Heffernan started to make life very difficult and speedily got the ball back up the pitch. He combined with Hussain to ensure that pressure was applied up front and his hard work paid off when he got the equaliser 14 minutes into the game.

The game continued at a fast pace with neither team giving much but it was Mons who worked the hardest and created the most opportunities. Doyle had a shot stopped by the Galway keeper and they then managed to get back into the game. McQuaid in the Mons net made a few good saves in the only sustained period of pressure from the Westerners in the first half. Monaghan kept Galway on their toes for the remainder of the half and it was when Peter D’arcy and Kevin Williamson combined in the 42nd minute that Monaghan United’s hard work paid the dividends with Williamson netting against his old club.

The second half had barely kicked off when United were awarded a penalty when Willie Doyle was brought down in the box and Doyle stepped up and confidently scored having sent the keeper in the wrong direction.

Monaghan’s keeper McQuaid was called into action not long after and made a few more terrific saves to keep Galway from making their much desired comeback. United continued to squeeze Galway, but their response was to step it up a gear and come back at the Mons. There was a heart stopping few seconds for Monaghan on the 70th minute when Galway made it very difficult for McQuaid with a well taken corner. The goal mouth scramble that ensued had hearts in mouths but finally McQuaid was able to get the ball into his hands.

Thanks to the solidity of the Monaghan back 4 of Barry Burke, Michael Kerr, Ciaran Friel and Aaron Mooney, United were able to shut down Galway at every turn. Despite Galway’s best efforts, Monaghan made them look like the first division team and some beautiful flowing football saw D’arcy set Paul Smyth up for a cracker of a goal in the 74th minute. The game stagnated a little after Mons had gotten the 4th goal and it was a few minutes before Galway found their feet again. Chris Armstrong got Galway’s 2nd goal in the 77th minute when there was a bit of a mix up by Monaghan substitute Aurimas Mendis.

Monaghan stayed strong though and the management gave all the substitutes a run out in the last few minutes of the game. The trip to Newbridge proved a useful training exercise and showed that there is a good squad in place at Monaghan who are working hard together but they still have a lot to do to ensure that the make waves in the First Division in a few weeks time. The final result of 4 - 2 was a credit to the effort the team and management have put in during pre-season and will make for interesting times when the FAI eircom League kicks off on March 9th.

Thank you to all at Shriven Rovers for the use of their fine facilities and the hospitality extended to both teams.

Monaghan United: McQuaid, Burke, Kerr, Friel, Mooney, Hussain, Heffernan, D’arcy, Farrell, Doyle, Williamson. Subs used: Smyth, McCluskey, Toal, Reavey and McGann

Galway United: Brianas, Tracey, McKenna, Clery, James, Davoren, Foley, Murphy, Russell, Armstrong, Glynn Subs used: Reilly, Lestor, Charles, Noitmeer, Gough.