Notes June 12 2007

UP FOR THE CUP
Monaghan United�s Senior men travel to The Brandywell in Derry this Friday night for the 2nd round of the FAI Ford Cup. United will be hoping to capitalise on Derry�s recent slump in form and knock the current Cup holders out of the competition.

United Manager Mick Cooke was upbeat despite the recent results and said �our league position is very false, we have deserved a lot more out of our league games than the table reflects. Derry are facing problems, they have no manager and this turmoil gives us a better chance against them.�

We beat Derry in the League Cup 2 seasons ago when they were on the up and as Mick says �if we can play to our potential with everyone fit, I don�t think it will be the foregone conclusion that everyone is assuming.�

Monaghan United will be without local lads Stephen Finnegan and Mickey Kerr who are both still out injured while Peter D�arcy is doubtful.

WHEALO OFF TO THAILAND
Monaghan United senior team regular Paul Whelan will be heading off to warmer climes in August when he heads to Thailand with the Republic of Ireland Colleges Squad. Paul has travelled with this team before including a trip to the USA last summer and a tournament in Italy in March of this year.

This time, however, the competition will be on a higher level as the Colleges Squad participate in the World University Games in Bangkok.

Congratulations to Paul and he is wished the best of luck from all at Monaghan United FC.

MONS LADIES CONTINUE WINNING STREAK
Monaghan United ladies continued their winning ways on Monday night when they beat old rivals Trim Celtic 5-1 at Kingspan Century Park. United entered this game cautiously as Trim had beaten Monaghan twice last season.

Straight from the kick off United pressurised Trim so as to not let them settle on the ball. Time after time the United defence cleared up any attack Trim could muster. Captain Pamela Treanor and Caroline Griffin stood firmly in central defence with full backs Michelle Gillanders and Caroline Kavanagh continuously pushing the wingers Charlene Graham & Aine Mulligan to construct any attack.

Orla Callan missed a great chance early on when a one on one with the Trim �keeper saw Orla try to place her shot in the bottom corner and watched as it agonisingly skimmed the outside of the post.

On the 25th minute United went one up when a great run down the right wing by Charlene Graham saw her double back and cross the ball in with her left foot for Suzanne Gordon to meet at the near post with a thundering header, leaving the Trim �keeper with no chance.

On the 31st minute a great through ball by Michela Newell set up Suzanne for her 2nd goal when she coolly rounded the keeper to slot into an empty net.

Right on the stroke of half time, a superb cross by Charlene was met by the head of Orla Callan who sent it into the roof of the net. Half time saw United going in 3 goals to the good.

Shortly into the 2nd half a precision pass by Nakita Cassidy to Suzanne was sweetly flicked to Michela. Michela made no mistake and sent her shot into the top corner to make it 4-0.

At this stage team manager Seamus Finnegan took off Aine Mulligan and Caroline Kavanagh and replaced them with Leona McConnon and Mary Croarkin, both back after injuries.

Midway through the 2nd half, Trim broke down the right wing. A long ball towards the end line was pursued by Pamela Treanor and she tried to shepherd the ball over the line, the Trim winger nipped in to cross the ball into the 6 yard box to find 2 trim attackers waiting and one of them was able to coolly slot the ball home making the scoreline 4-1.

United pushed forward again with Suzanne Gordon hitting the post and the Trim goalie pulling off some great saves. Michela finally got her second goal of the night when after several attempts to clear the ball by the Trim defence the ball cannoned off Michela into the back of the net. Suzanne was then replaced by Christine Mieneberg for the last 5 minutes.

NOTES:

Fundraising Table Quiz in the Squealing Pig on Thursday 28th June @ 9pm.

Training this Friday night at 6.15 at Kingspan Century Park.

Next match is on Monday night away to Portmarnock. Bus leaving club house at 4.30 sharp.

FAI Junior Cup: Monaghan United ladies have been drawn away to Dublin side Rosemount Mulvey on the 24th June. Full details to follow.

A special thanks to Melissa Brennan, Club Physio for all her help.

SUMMER FUN CAMP
Monaghan United�s Summer Fun Football Camp is coming up fast! Anyone interested in taking part in the camp needs to get their applications forms in quickly as spaces are fast filling up.

Please post forms to Summer Camp, Monaghan United FC, Kingspan Century Park, Monaghan by Tuesday 26th June 2007.