Sligo Struggle against Mons

Despite an impressive early chance on goal, it took Sligo Rovers 20 minutes to put one past the superb Monaghan goalie, Darren McQuaid. The first 20 minutes were mostly dominated by Rovers, but United’s strong defence led by McQuaid made sure to shut down every opportunity they had. It wasn’t until Conor O’Grady was deemed fouled on the edge of the box that Sligo got their goal when the prodigal son Raf Cretaro was lucky with a rebound off the wall that left McQuaid floundering.


After the goal went in Mons gathered their wits up and went on the attack. Some good passing play in the 35th minute saw Finbar Heffernan, Kevin Williamson and Wille Doyle linking up and beating the Sligo defence easily. Doyle was perfectly placed and lobbed Aussie Tomislav Arcaba to bring United back into the frame.



Paul Whelan had a chance to put the Mons ahead a few minutes later when he made Arcaba struggle to contain a magnificent cross. The Rovers goalie just got the ball cleared but only as far as Robbie Farrell who immediately sent an opportunistic shot back at him, but the goalie was able to get the ball into his hands this time. The half ended 1-1.



Mons and Sligo both made half time substitutions with Paul Smyth and Brian Gannon coming on from Robbie Farrell and Khalid Hussain and Sligo replacing Fahrudin Kudozovic with Gino O’Boyle. The fresh legs made an impact straight away and Monaghan were on top of Sligo from the off. Five minutes into the second half, Smyth and Doyle became a great double act when Smythy, with his back to the defenders turned well to set Doyle up. Doyle confidently slotted the ball past the Rovers goalie making it 2 -1 to a delighted Monaghan United team on the 50th minute.



United did not sit back then and defend their lead but continued to mercilessly attack the weak Sligo defence. Within a minute of scoring, Doyle was had a terrific shot on target which the goalie just about managed to stop. No matter what Sligo tried, Mons shut them down and managed to keep them in their own half. Mons won a corner which Heffernan sent to Whelan who almost gave United their 3rd goal. Smyth combined well with Doyle and had a chance on goal when he lobbed the keeper but was unlucky not to score.



Sligo came back at United again having replaced Sean Kelly with ex-Monaghan player Keith Foy and Adam Hughes came off to give Oisin Mannion a chance. United still managed to squeeze them and dispossessed Sligo at every turn. Sligo’s best opportunity came when Keith Foy stepped up to take a free but was unable to penetrate the Mons wall and the ball fell to a fellow team mate but he was unable to shake Monaghan’s goalie.



Monaghan then brought on Mark O’Connor and Tommy Toal to replace Paul Whelan and Kevin Williamson and due to a shoulder injury, Darren McQuaid had to come off and allow Ronan McGann between the sticks. Sligo were struggling to regain the upper hand and new Manager Rob McDonald brought Seamus Coleman on for Gavin Peers in the hope of reviving their game. As the match came to a close, Sligo continued to attempt to break down Monaghan’s midfield and defence but to no avail. The game ended with a much deserved win for United.


Monaghan United: McQuaid, Whelan, Kerr, Burke, Mooney, D'arcy , Heffernan, Hussain, Farrell, Doyle, Williamson Subs : Smyth, Toal, Gannon, O'Connor, McGann


Sligo Rovers: Arcaba ,Peers, Mc Kenzie , Strong , Kelly, Kudozivic, O' Grady , Hughes, Cretaro, Mc Cartney, Aisien Subs: Coleman, Foy, O’Boyle, Mannion