Mons Notes 25th April 2007

ATHLONE GO TO TOWN ON MONS (courtesy of www.monaghanunited.ie)
Monaghan United lost 2-0 to Athlone Town at Kingspan Century Park on Friday night. The sides went in level at the break and the game seemed headed for a 0-0 draw. However, the visitors controversially took the lead after 77 minutes when veteran striker Eric Lavine slotted home at his second attempt - the controversy arising after an apparent hand-ball in the build-up. Deep in injury time Athlone Town made it 2-0 when the United defence failed to deal with a straightforward long ball from the Athlone 'keeper and Paul McTiernan nipped in to latch onto the clearance and score.

Manager Mick Cooke had to make changes to his side with Aaron Mooney injured. Barry Burke moved to centre-back alongside Paul Whelan, with Clonesman Brian McDonald coming in at right-back. Mickey Kerr returned at left back, allowing Kevin Williamson to play on the left wing against his former side, with Brian Gannon playing on the right. Robbie Farrell and Willie Doyle continued upfront.

In a dull game chances were few for either side. United came closest to opening the scoring when midfielder Steve Feeney - also playing against his former side - grazed the crossbar with a shot. Willie Doyle almost got on the end of a long ball, but was sandwiched between goalkeeper and centre-back and was clearly shook by the collision, while 2 good runs by Brian Gannon ended with disappointing shots.

At the other end Athlone's right-winger Stevie Gavin was causing problems for Mickey Kerr, and the visitors had two decent chances, which fell to striker Paul McTiernan.

The second half was a turgid affair. Athlone Town came close with a goalmouth scramble following a corner, while striker Eric Lavine had a shot, which he screwed well wide. Willie Doyle had a header that looped onto the crossbar, but former United 'keeper Danny O'Leary in the Athlone goal saw it all the way. That was as close as it got for United who showed little invention throughout the game.

The game looked destined for a scoreless draw when the visitors broke the deadlock. Brian McDonald and Barry Burke looked to have long ball under control, but rather than knock the ball out of play Burke's poor clearance handed possession straight back to Athlone. This kept the pressure on the home side, but as midfielder Peter D'Arcy looked to take the ball out of defence, the ball appeared to be handled by an Athlone player who then played the ball into Gavin who pulled the ball back for Lavine on the 6-yard box. Lavine's first effort was blocked but he made no mistake with the rebound.

It must be said that the assistant referee was well-placed to see any infringement and did not flag, but 2 Monaghan players were booked for protesting after the goal.

United huffed and puffed as they sought an equaliser in the last 10 minutes but created nothing of note. With time almost up, a long clearance was not dealt with by Barry Burke or Paul Whelan. This allowed McTiernan to nip in between Whelan and Rouse to score.

This was a physical game that was short on entertainment value. Still searching for their first win of the campaign, Cooke's side will have to show more ambition at home to put points on the board and provide more entertainment at Kingspan Century Park. Best for United were Whelan and McDonald at the back and D'Arcy in midfield, while Rouse's safe handling inspires confidence behind the back-four.

Monaghan United: Rouse; McDonald, Burke, Whelan, Kerr; Gannon, Feeney, D'Arcy, Williamson; Farrell, Doyle
Subs: Finnegan for Gannon, Heffernan for Williamson

SUNDAY GAME AGAINST COBH
Monaghan United continue their hunt for the first win of the season against title chasers Cobh Ramblers this Sunday at Kingspan Century Park. The 3pm kick off allows Ramblers to make the long journey to Monaghan in comfort. Ramblers are only 4 points away from Dundalk at the top and have had a great opening few weeks to the league with 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 loses to their credit. In comparison, United have 2 loses also but it is the lack of wins that sets the 2 teams at opposite ends of the table.

United will be without Aaron Mooney again as he will be out for a few more weeks with his knee injury and United will be without nifty winger Brian Gannon. Gannon has a groin injury and will be a great loss to the squad as his pacy runs on the wing have troubled many teams so far this season.

Manager Mick Cooke hopes that the Monaghan faithful will come out on Sunday despite the disappointment of last Friday night and said �I am very pleased with the effort the players are putting in and a win will come soon.�

MARK CONNOLLY�S CALL UP
Monaghan United�s Under 15 team member Mark Connolly has enjoyed a call into the Republic of Ireland under 16 squad for the Ballymena International Tournament this week. The Irish faced group B opponents Scotland ,Czech Republic and USA.

Mark joins players from Liverpool FC, Arsenal, Everton & Blackburn Rovers on the Vinny Bulter managed team to represent the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland kicked off the tournament with a win against the Czech Republic on Monday night but unfortunately Mark didn�t get the opportunity to play in that game. Further reports to follow next week.

UNDER 14�S IN SUNDAY SHOWDOWN
Congratulations to Monaghan United Under 14's who on Sunday evening secured the Dundalk Schoolboys Under 14 League with a comprehensive 3-0 away win against St. Dominics. Well done to all the lads and their mentors Brian Finnegan, Bernard Coleman and Kieran Donnelly.

This Sunday the lads go for national glory when they play St Kevin's Boys in the National Cup semi-final. The game will be played at Kingspan Century Park, kick-off 12pm.

UNDER 15�S COME OUT ON TOP IN THRILLER
This was billed as the tie of the season and it lived up to all expectations. In front of the largest crowd seen this season in Bellew Park this ended up as one of the most entertaining and yet hardest fought games in the Under 15 Dundalk League this season.
Both teams had all to play for with the winners only still having a chance of silverware. As both teams needed to win no quarter was given.
Both teams created chances with Jimmy Fallon from United failing to convert after good work from Aido Mc Anespie finding Glen Calvert in the box, his shot was well saved but spilled by the St. Dominic�s keeper to the feet of Fallon who hit the crossbar from close range.
It was end to end with both United and St. Doms creating half chances. Glen Calvert headed over the bar from a Benny Farrelly cross. Barry Reilly fired a shot just over the bar from outside the box and for St. Doms Shane Devin hit a rasping shot from 20 yards out straight at the Mons keeper Kevin Martin who gathered well. Eamon Lynch had another shot that went well wide of the target from inside the box and Cathal Bellew headed over from a corner. It ended 0-0 at half time with United shading the first half having played some neat passing football and keeping possession.
The second half the Mons midfield of Mc Anespie, and Hanley took control and was creating good chances for Reilly, Calvert and Fallon upfront. The back four of Sherlock, Connolly, Toal and Mc Mahon played brilliant and along with Martin in goals they repelled everything St. Dominic�s threw at them. United should have scored when Farrelly put Calvert through one on one with the keeper but he hit his shot early and the keeper saved well. Mark Connolly fired a free kick inches wide and it looked like stalemate as St. Doms held on.
With 15 minutes left United went for broke, they went 3 at the back Sherlock, Farrelly and Mc Mahon, Mark Connolly went into midfield and released Conor O Gorman to run at the St Doms defence. United now put on the pressure and pinned Doms into their own half. With 6 minutes left Paul Sherlock linked up with Conor O Gorman on the right and floated in a great cross for Jimmy Fallon to head down to Glen Calvert who fired home from 10 yards. This was a killer blow for St. Doms who fought hard to the end but could not get a clear-cut chance to equalise. It ended one nil to the Mons, a cracking game enjoyed by a large crowd and credit to both teams who gave their all.
Team: Kevin Martin, Paul Sherlock, Conor Toal, Mark Connolly, Dean Mc Mahon, Benny Farrelly, Marty Hanley, Aido Mc Anespie, Barry Reilly, Jimmy Fallon, Glen Calvert, Conor o Gorman, Kelvin Mc Entee, Baraat Turker, Kevin Tierney, Nial Hahasey, Nial Mc Keown.
Managers: Kieran Mc Mahon, Eamon O Reilly.
Monaghan United under 15�s are kindly sponsored by Metropolitan Finance.