A very disappointing first half performance by Monaghan United gave Kilkenny City the chance to shine and they grabbed their opportunity to punish the uninspiring United. Two goals in the first half for the Cats made it difficult for the Mons to come back, but a much improved second half saw United put in a gutsy performance but only able to grab one goal back.
Tim Kiely and Michale Comerford were the heroes for Kilkenny with Andy Cousins getting United’s late consolation. A United ripped apart by injuries and suspensions were no match for the urgency with which Kilkenny opened the game and with only 4 minutes on the clock, Kiely had found the back of the net. Kilkenny continued to play a lively game tearing United asunder and their persistent pressure paid off when Comerford found their 2nd goal 27 minutes into the game.
United seemed to flounder and lost any semblance of shape as the 1st half continued. There were some moments of hope, Darren Meenan came close on the 7th minute when he managed to round the defence but his scorcher of a shot went just wide of the target. Jason McCartney was unlucky not to score when his 13th minute free took a deflection and Kilkenny ‘Keeper Gerry Treacy then got a hand to it to send it wide.
Unfortunately, when United did seem to have any other real opportunities, their headless chicken act in the box let Kilkenny clear without too much trouble. Their set pieces were equally as unorganised and the first half was like watching a schoolboy team who had never played football before. Kilkenny were able to showcase their ability without much interference from United.
As the 1st half came to a close, Mons seemed to get their act together somewhat. Wayne Byrne sent in a cracker of a shot but the goalie just got his fingers to it as it seemed to be destined to loop just under the bar. Andy Cousins came at them moments later but he was wrong footed and the ball went narrowly wide. Byrne had another great shot just before time was called but it wasn’t to be and went wide of the mark.
The 2nd half saw United playing much better football and their plucky display was unrewarded despite some very near misses. As they settled onto the pitch they began to dominate the play and within minutes of the resumption of the game, Robbie Farrell had 2 chances but both balls in were too high. Cousin’s took a free on the 55th minute but it deflected off one of United’s eager potential goalscorer’s and out for a goal kick.
Just when it looked like United were on top of things, their set pieces let them down again. An unimaginative corner was easily cleared by Kilkenny and the chance had passed once more. United kept the attacking going though and Meenan showed again how quick he is as he hunted down a long ball. The ball rolled out and looked like it was going out at the corner but the corner flag acted as a 12th man for United and held the ball in place until Meenan collected.
Defensive hero Luke Fitzpatrick took a chance on goal and was very unlucky to watch his shot bounce back out and there was no-one on hand to finish. McCartney came in all guns blazing moments later but his shot went wide. Kilkenny took the ball back down the pitch and won a free, but the ball went over the top of the waiting players and wide to a sigh of relief from all in the United camp.
Fitzpatrick did what he does best and saved the Mons from further embarrassment when he hunted down an inward running Kilkenny player and put in a superb tackle to disposes him in the box.
It was as if the God’s weren’t shining on United, as despite them creating many chances they were not able to score. Meenan’s peach of a volley ricocheted off the post in the 71st minute when it looked certain he would open the United account. Kilkenny broke and Paul Whelan and goalkeeper Danny Woods had their work cut out for them as they did everything they were capable of to keep Kilkenny from scoring a 3rd goal.
Kilkenny seemed set to go on the rampage again and Ted O’Connor wouldn’t have been out of place on Strictly Come Dancing as he waltzed with Whelan and Fitzpatrick before sending the ball across the pitch. The recipient however was unable to make his shot count.
This game will be remembered for numerous goalmouth scrambles and in the 78th minute it looked certain that United would finally make the confusion pay for them. Kilkenny stood strong though and the ball was eventually cleared after 3-4 shots had been taken by the frustrated Mons players.
United won a free on the 82nd minute and went heartbreakingly close to scoring as it seemed the ball bounced on the line before Treacy was able to control it. Sniffing the chance to get on the scoreboard, United threw themselves wholeheartedly into the action but a minute later another chance was fumbled. Kilkenny threw Mons another lifeline by giving them a free on the edge of the box. Cousins stepped up but his cross was too hard and went past the waiting ensemble and out wide.
Cousins was called into action for another free 2 minutes later but his ball in was sent back out to him but his return shot went straight to the Treacy. The Cat’s hadn’t called it quits yet and Woods had to stay on his toes as they had another shot on target.
Once more it looked like Meenan might be able to bring some joy to United as he sent in a wicked cross. The ball went tantalisingly close but hit off the far post much to the Monaghan men’s continued frustration.
United threw everyone forward, with Danny Woods venturing up to midfield as the game went into the 3 minutes of time added. Fitzpatrick started an attack and passed the ball to Farrell. Farrell hadn’t a clear shot on goal and sent the ball to Cousin’s but his shot was easily saved. United continued to squeeze and Whelan took a chance with a long ball but it went over the bar.
The 2nd half hard work was finally rewarded when on the 3rd minute of time added Cousins was able to give United some solace when his well taken shot rattled the back of the net.
Mick Cooke and his team were gutted by their first half performance and ultimately paid the price by making what should have been a less challenging game into a bitter defeat. They will have a lot of work to do in the training ground ahead of next Sunday’s game against top of the table Finn Harps if they are to try and prevent the Donegal men making them look like schoolboys.
Kilkenny City: Treacy, Bargarry, Loughnane, Ryan, Tyrell, Fogarty, Comerford, Grant, O’Connor, Tynan, Kiely.
Monaghan United: Woods, Whelan, Gannon, Fitzpatrick, Mooney, Tierney, Meenan, Cousins, Farrell, Byrne, McCartney.
