SHELS NEXT UP IN LEAGUE
Monaghan United play the current Premier Division League title holders Shelbourne at Kingspan Century Park in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division on Friday night (22nd June) with an 8pm kick off.
This will be the second meeting of these teams in the league this year with United leaving Tolka Park with a point after a 1-1 draw thanks to a Peter D’arcy goal. Shels have struggled this season in the 1st Division and currently sit 3 points ahead of United in the league table having only won one more game than the Mons so far.
This should be a nail biter of a game with both sides eager to improve on their recent form and move up the table. Dermot Keely, Shelbourne’s manager had often referred to Monaghan United as a “Pub Team” in his team talks when he managed Dublin City but now Shelbourne are not much better and it will be up to Mick Cooke’s men to send Shel’s on the road back to Dublin without points.
In another week full of fixtures, United then play Athlone Town away on Tuesday 26th.
13 LUCKY FOR MONS LADIES
Monaghan United ladies again continued their unbeaten run on Monday night with an emphatic win against Portmarnock Ladies at the Portmarnock Sports & Leisure club.
United ladies began very strongly with Orla Callan hitting the post with just 6 minutes gone. On the 7th minute, Charlene Graham split the Portmarnock defence with an inch perfect ball for Michela Newell to slot past the ‘keeper. On the 11th minute Callan again hit the crossbar with a superb effort from 25 yards out. Five minutes later Michela Newell got her second of the night after receiving a great ball from Nikita Cassidy. On the 18th minute Callan hit the crossbar for the third time within 12 minutes.
On the 24th minute Portmarnock came very close when a free from the edge of the box zipped straight across the goalmouth and just passed the post.
A minute later a long ball over the top caught the Portmarnock defence square for Newell to claim her hat-trick as she coolly slotted past the ‘keeper. A lay off by Callan a minute later fell to Charlene Graham to drive home from the edge of the box.
Monaghan kept their scoring coming hard and fast when on the 28th minute a cross from Graham was met at the back post for Callan to slot home for her first of the night. The Graham/Callan partnership paid off again on the 34th minute when Charlene laid another threw ball for Orla to claim her second.
A fierce shot by Graham on the 37th minute was spilled by the ‘keeper for Newell to toe-poke into the back of the net. Within a minute Graham had claimed her second of the night with a neat lob over the goalie.
Aine Mulligan made her debut count when she scored on the 42nd minute by slotting the ball past the ‘keeper. On the stroke of half-time Callan hit the crossbar again for the fourth time in the match as she tried to add to the teams tally of 9-0 at the break.
At half time Manager Seamus Finnegan made four changes and replaced goalkeeper Deirdre McAleer with Stephanie Keenan. Donna Toal, Mary Croarkin and Leona McConnon replaced Michelle Gillanders, Nakita Cassidy and Aine Mulligan.
The 2nd half was only 3 minutes old when Leona McConnon broke past the left back but her shot hit the side netting. On the 52nd minute Sharon McAree, making her comeback after a lengthy layoff, shot wide.
A corner by Charlene Graham was handed in the box and then centre half Caroline Griffen blasted the ball into the roof of the net from the penalty giving the keeper no chance. Charlene Graham was fouled a few minutes later in the box resulting in Caroline Griffen scoring her second penalty of the night. Sharon McAree made way for another debutant Devon Aughey-Evans. On the 82nd minute Callan claimed her hat-trick with a shot into the top corner.
Callan claimed her 4th of the night with a deep weave past 4 defenders to slot home in the 85th minute. This made the final result 13 – 0.
Team: McAleer (Keenan 45), Gillanders (Toal 45), Kavanagh, Griffen,Treanor, Cassidy (Croarkin 45), Graham, Callan, Mulligan (McConnon 45), McAree (Aughey-Evans 60), Newell.
Managers: Seamus Finnegan & Padraig Cassidy
NOTES: No training this Friday night.
Fundraising Table Quiz next Thursday night (28th June) for the Monaghan United Ladies team in the Squealing Pig at 9pm. Everyone welcome.
SUMMER CAMP – BOOK NOW!
Monaghan United’s Summer Soccer Camp is now in the final days of taking bookings for their week of fun and football at Kingspan Century Park. All children aged between 6 and 14 are welcome to participate in what will be a fantastic week of fun. Closing date for applications is Tuesday June 26th so get your forms in fast! Contact Thomas Heffernan on 086 1081572 for further information.
MONAGHAN CREDIT UNION MINI LEAGUES
The Mini Leagues will take place next Wednesday night (27th) instead of Tuesday at the usual time.
