County Kil’ Mons Unbeaten Run

Monaghan United’s recent unbeaten run came to an end with a dismal and uncharacteristically poor Monaghan performance. Kildare smothered United’s midfield and despite the Mons having several shots hit the post or go narrowly wide, they were on the back foot throughout the game. Kildare went ahead on the 13th minute with a Phillip Gorman volley hitting the back of the net and United struggled on but were unable to find the equaliser.

As the game kicked off Kildare surged forward and won an early corner but Alvin Rouse in the United nets had it covered. Dom Tierney steadied the ship for United with precision tackling prevent Kildare from getting a goal in the opening minutes and it looked like Mons might be able to push forward. Alas, Kildare killed off any real chances of United scoring by throwing everyone into midfield and making it next to impossible for Mick Cooke’s men to break through into County’s half.

As Kildare continued to shut down every United attack, Wayne Byrne and Willie Doyle struggled to make an impact. United never got into their stride in what was a bitty game and when they did manage to string some good passes together with thanks to Paul Whelan, Dom Tierney and Jason McCartney, they were blocked as they made progress up the pitch.

The only goal of the game was to come from Kildare’s prolific goalscorer Philly Gorman. County’s Cathal Brady had made a fantastic run down the wing before sending in an exacting cross for his team-mate. Gorman made the most of his chance and put his team in front.

Unlike in previous seasons, the spirit in the Mons camp kept them fighting back from their 1 goal deficit and McCartney came close, bringing one of the rare bright sparks to the otherwise dull fare. It was not to be however and Kildare goalie Austin O’Neill blocked the ball with his body and there was no one in a blue & white jersey to tidy up the rebounded ball & it bounced out for a corner.

In the second half, it was game on again with both sides trying to raise the pace. Kildare stuck to their guns however and continued to form an almost impenetrable barricade in the middle of the pitch. United did manage to break through occasionally and Willie Doyle, Luke Fitzpatrick and Wayne Byrne all came close to balancing the scoreboard out.

Cooke, aware that he had to shake things up a bit brought on Darren Meenan and Barry Burke to replace Ian McCluskey and Kevin Williamson. His re-shuffle livened up the game somewhat and help United to produce their best chances of the game.

Doyle was unable to exploit his chance fully and the ball sailed over the bar having taken a deflection. Fitzpatrick, who was pushed forward to help with the search for a goal had his shot stopped by O’Neill and Byrne, looking for his 2nd league goal of the campaign, sent in a screamer of a ball in the dying moments of the game but the ball went across the mouth of the goal and waiting Doyle was unable to get a toe to it.

United’s 3rd subsititution of the game came in the form of Danny Woods taking to the field for Alvin Rouse after Rouse and Fitzpatrick had ploughed into each other. Moments before this change, Kildare had also to replace their goalie O’Neill with Colin Cassidy and Cassidy did well when called upon.

It was heartbreaking for United who have played some magnificent football of late. Their inability to split the packed midfield left the game an un-entertaining spectacle and undoubtedly they will be disappointed with performance and result from a team who have come to expect so much from themselves. They are still sitting in mid-table but Mick Cooke will have his work cut out in trying to ensure they stay there. Next Saturday United are away to Kilkenny City who are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table so Mons have a chance to pick up some points in Buckley Park. After that, United face into their toughest games with Finn Harps, Dundalk and Shelbourne all ahead in the coming weeks.

Monaghan United: Rouse(Woods 88), Whelan, Fitzpatrick, Mooney, Williamson (Burke 68), McCluskey (Meenan 58), Tierney, Cousins, McCartney; Byrne, Doyle.

Kildare County: O'Neill (Cassidy 79), Donnelly, Byrne, Malone, Stapleton; Brady, Cooling, McArdle (Barrett 77), Carew, Clancy; Gorman.

Referee: T Supercynski (Dublin).