LAKERS NO MATCH FOR MONS LADIES
Monaghan United Ladies got into their stride on Monday night when they took on Loughgall Lakers in a pre-season friendly. United’s ladies have only been back in training a few weeks now but the core of the team that were so successful last season is evident and they comfortably beat the Lakers 2-0 with goals coming from Orla Callen and Suzanne Gordon.
From the off United showed the Lakers that they were not to be messed with and Callen could have put the Mons ahead on a few occasions but missed the opportunities. She was to make amends however, when she turned at the edge of the box and hit the back of the net through a crowded goal mouth.
United continued to show their strength and the overall performances were much improved on their previous pre-season game against Armagh, but again their finishing was letting them down.
Suzanne Gordon got on the end of a perfect through ball from Sharon McAree which had split the Loughgall defence. Gordon’s touch put the ball confidently into the corner of the net. Despite being 2 goals in front, United didn’t stop working for more goals with Charlene Graham creating great opportunities and playing out of her skin. New centre half Caroline Griffens settled well into the side and linked up with Pamela Treanor to create a very solid defence. The two girls were the heart of the team and didn’t let their team mates down.
New manager Seamus Finnegan was very pleased with the girls performance and felt that they had worked really hard. He was able to see where their game needs improving and will be working on getting the finishing right in the coming weeks.
The ladies team will be training this Friday night at 8pm at Kingspan Century Park and anyone still interested in trying to make the team should come along on the night. The management are also trying to arrange another friendly game for the upcoming Bank Holiday Monday. Further details to follow.
REPUBLIC UNDER 15’S WIN TOURNAMENT
Monaghan United’s Mark Connolly was part of the Republic of Ireland Under 15’s team who won the Ballymena International Tournament last Friday night. Connolly & Co took on tournament hosts Northern Ireland in the final and won 3-0.
Monaghan United FC are delighted that Mark has made the Irish Squad on numerous occasions now and are proud of his achievements to date. Well done Mark.
SYMPATHY
Monaghan United FC would like to extend their condolences to former Monaghan United Chairman and current Honorary Tresurer of the FAI Mr Eddie Murray on the death of his sister Maura Hanahoe in Galway on Wednesday last. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Murray and his family at this sad time.
UNDER 14’S KNOCKED OUT OF NATIONAL CUP
Monaghan United Under 14’s had their hopes of another National Cup Final appearance
dashed on Sunday when a stronger St Kevin’s team beat them 2 – 0. United had been holding their own and St Kevin’s would have been happy going in 0-0 at half time. United’s hard working ethos and talented players caused St Kevin’s a lot of problems in the first half. Monaghan’s 5 man midfield strategy held back St Kevin’s and didn’t allow them through the midfield. Monaghan were unlucky in the 40th minute when a slight lapse of concentration from the Monaghan defence, let in St Kevin’s right winger who finished well against Aaron McCarey giving them the upper hand as they put themselves on the scoreboard.
Monaghan had to change their tactics in the 2nd half to try and get back into the game and went back to 4-4-2. As a result of this, St Kevin’s had a little more freedom to play the kind of ball they like with Monaghan chasing the game. St. Kevin’s tested Aaron McCarey on several occasions and only for his fantastic saves, they may have scored a few more times. United came the closest to scoring with approximately 5 minutes left on the clock. The ball fell to Pete Dooney, who just hit with the wrong side of his foot and the ball went narrowly wide. St. Kevin’s sealed the deal with a second goal in the dying minutes of the game as a result of Monaghan pushing all their players up in the hopes of finding a equaliser. Mons full back Darren McKenna was robbed of the ball and St. Kevin’s made no mistake in booking their place in the final.
Monaghan mentors were very proud of the performance from this gutsy team and came close to causing an upset in this cup. The St. Kevin’s team boasts 8 Republic of Ireland schoolboy players and a young footballer who has all the top clubs in England chasing his signature. Yet again this team have done their club, managers, parents and county proud. Hard luck but well done on a fine exhibition of football.
Good luck to the Under 14’s as they play in the Lions Club Tournament final in the coming week.
TEAM: Darren McKenna, Conor Campbell, Cillian Coleman, Pete Dooney, Darren Coleman, Sean Quigley, Peter McFadden, Philip Donnolly, Jack McCArron, Frankie McCooey, Niall Keenan, James Maguire, Damien Smith, Dermot Smith, Danny McNally, James Clarke.
MANAGER: Brian Finnegan
Monaghan United Under 14’s are kindly sponsored by Treanor Meats
MONAGHAN CELTIC UNDER 12’S PENO NIGHTMARE
Monaghan Celtic Under 12’s battled hard in their cup game against Rock Celtic, a team who finished 3rd in the division above them, and came back from 1 – 0 down to bring the game to extra time. Kevin Loughran’s goal kept Monaghan in the game and despite being the best team in the 2nd half and missing many great chances, the 90 minutes ended evens. Extra time also ended in stalemate after some great saves by both ‘keepers with Conor Forde in the Monaghan goals pulling out all the stops to give the team a chance. The dreaded penalties were the downfall of this hard working squad and they finally bowed out of the Cup but have the comfort of having secured the First Division League title.
Team: C Forde,B Harraghy,C Lavelle,C Curley,K Loughran,F Mc Mahon,M Mc Carville,M Galligan, D Mc Carron,K Loughran,P Byrne,B Mc Quaid,A Croarkin,P Smyth and F Sherry
Manager: Paddy Owens
Monaghan Celtic Under 12’s are kindly sponsored by Greenace Landscaping
