Monaghan United travel to Buckley Park, Kilkenny this Saturday evening to take on Kilkenny City in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division. This clash will give Mick Cooke’s team a chance to redeem themselves after last week’s shock defeat at home to Kildare County. United will be travelling with a depleted squad due to suspensions and injuries, but Mick is confident that his squad will get back on track and keep pushing for 5th place in the league.
Kilkenny are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table but so far this season have proven to be difficult opposition for Cooke’s men. In the first meeting of the sides this season Kilkenny beat Monaghan 2-0 at Kingspan Century Park and United were only able to scrape a 2-2 draw when they traveled to Buckley Park last time. United seemed to have found their stride when they last faced Kilkenny however, and came out 3-0 victors in KCP thanks to goals from Brian Gannon, Robbie Farrell and Jason McCartney.
Kilkenny have struggled in recent weeks and suffered defeats at the hands of Dundalk and Athlone Town. United will be hoping to compound their misery and take all 3 points from the game.
“It is important for us to bounce back after being beaten by Kildare County last week. If we win this game we will only be 3 points behind Shelbourne and our hopes of finishing in 5th will be still alive” manager Mick Cooke stated today.
“It is much more difficult having the amount of injuries & suspensions that we are suffering at the moment. Alvin Rouse and Kevin Williamson are big losses for us for this game but we hope to have Robbie Farrell back.” he continued.
Injuries:
Alvin Rouse (leg)
Kevin Williamson (ankle)
Robbie Farrell (ankle – late fitness test)
