[b]rams Far From Sheepish[/b]
United suffered their 3rd home defeat in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division on Sunday afternoon when Cobh came to Kingspan Century Park. Ramblers secured the points with a last gasp goal from substitute Graham Cummins despite a heartfelt performance from the home team.
United went ahead 10 minutes into the game, ending Cobh’s clean sheet record when Peter D’arcy sent a perfectly struck ball into the box to young Cavanman Cian Mackey. Mackey had shown his speed in getting into position for the ball but the Rambler’s defender Kevin Murray managed to make a partial clearance. Monaghan’s top goal scorer so far this season, Robbie Farrell was there waiting and managed to send the half cleared ball into the back of the net.
Cobh immediately went on the counter attack and it was down to some great defending from Clones lad Brian McDonald to keep the Mons in the lead. Farrell was again going to show that he is goal hungry having controlled the ball well, turning and getting back up the pitch like a bolt of lightening, he wasted a great chance on goal sending the ball wide of the mark.
United didn’t sit back and defend but went after the visitors at every chance and played some of the attractive football that had fans excited in pre-season games. McDonald and Barry Burke were consistent in bringing the ball back into the Cobh half where the fleet of foot Mackey made the Ramblers defence sweat trying to keep him covered.
Cobh only had one real chance of the first half but luckily Kevin Williamson was on hand to clear the ball from the line when Monaghan goalkeeper Alvin Rouse was under pressure.
Mackey’s efforts almost paid off, when having almost teased the Cobh defenders by dancing around them, he shot wide from a difficult angle. It was to be the story of the remainder of the game for United, despite creating some chances, they were unable to find the net. James McCarthy in the Cobh nets was well up for plucking the ball out of the sky on the many times when United sent in opportunistic balls.
A D’arcy corner which came off Farrell’s head was kept in by a Cobh player only for him to be disposed by Mickey Kerr. Kerr struck but again the ball went wide in what was Mon’s last real chance of the first half.
Cobh came out on the attack from the off and Brian McCarthy caught the Monaghan defence asleep with a hopeful run into the Monaghan box. Barry Burke ran back and put pressure on McCarthy who then sent the ball well off target.
Half time substitute Darren Meenan started to cause problems for Cobh but it seemed the more hassle they got the more resolved the Rams were to get a goal back and Davin O’Neill became their hero in the 52nd minute. Rouse could do nothing to stop his powerful volley from the edge of the box.
United won a free not long after when Mackey was taken down but United were unable to go back in front when the ball sailed over the bar. The game took a more leisurely pace for a while with neither team’s managing to break through on goal. Davin had a chance to put Cobh into the lead having beaten the United defence, but his finish was appalling and the ball went over the bar.
United stepped it up again in response and started to push for a winner. Mackey had the fans on their feet as he ran on goal with one purpose in mind but it wasn’t to be and the ball went wide scraping the outside of the post. Mackey was again to curse the goalposts when an excellent corner ball landed for him but his shot ricocheted off the post.
Farrell showed his form late in the game with a powerful strike which left McCarthy fumbling before he managed to secure it. Cobh replied moments later but Rouse dealt easily with the strike.
The game looked likely to end in a 1 all draw as time was ticking away without any signs of another goal being on the cards. The 4th official was preparing to hold up the 3 minutes added time board when Graham Cummins found the southerners their winner. A decent cross from Mickey O’Shea gave Cummins the chance he was waiting for as he beat Burke to the header and rattled the nets.
It was a disappointing result for Monaghan as they had looked like sharing the spoils at the very least all afternoon. Next up is League newcomers Limerick 37 in Jackman Park this Friday night and Mick Cooke will be hoping that the positives from Sunday’s performance will be expanded upon and the result that has to come, will follow.
Monaghan United: Rouse, McDonald, Kerr (Meenan 46), Whelan, Burke, Feeney (Williamson 6), Gannon, D’arcy, Farrell, Doyle, Mackey (O’Connor).
Cobh Ramblers: J McCarthy, Carey, Meade, Murray, Guthrie, Barrett, O’Neill, Kearney, Nolan (Cummins 75), B McCarthy, Cambridge (O’Shea 75).
