Mons news 9th October 2007

DUNDALK DERBY NEXT GAME FOR MONS
Monaghan United travel to Oriel Park, Dundalk this Thursday night to meet their nearest rivals in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division. Mick Cooke’s men will be looking to turn Sunday’s disappointing defeat around but in recent times they have not faired well when they travel to the Louth town.

So far this season United have drawn 1-1 with Dundalk at Kingspan Century Park, were beaten 3-1 in Oriel park and came out victors when Dundalk returned to KCP with 2-0 scoreline.

Cooke will be without suspended Captain Barry Burke, Stephen Finnegan and Paul Whelan and have some players awaiting late fitness tests.

Kick off in Oriel is 7.45pm in what will be a highly passionate and competitive game.

THANK YOU
Monaghan United would like to thank all the stewards who helped out at the Monaghan United – v – Finn Harps game on Sunday. Thanks to all from the Summer League and also to the Civil Defence, Club Doctor and the Gardai for all their help.

A special word of thanks to Tom Britton for his assistance on the gate.

SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP A BIG HIT
Congratulations to the Monaghan Special Needs group who put on a display match at half time during the Monaghan United – v – Finn Harps game on Sunday last. Their mini match, watched by hundreds of enthusiastic fans, ended in a 3-3 draw for the orange and green teams.

This group have been working hard with Club Coach Thomas Heffernan as part of Monaghan United’s Into the Community Programme in association with McChesney Motors Ltd and McElvaney Motor Ltd, which aims to bring football to all in the County. Thomas has been coaching the Special Needs group over the past months and it was great to see their skill and enjoyment as they delighted the crowds on Sunday.

LADIES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
Monaghan United presented their Player of the Year award after the Finn Harps game last Sunday. Orla Callan was awarded the Esprit Monaghan sponsored award for her hard work and prolific goal scoring throughout the season.

Michelle McAnenly of Esprit Monaghan presented the award to Orla and also gave Charlene Graham the Player of the Month award for August. Michelle in turn was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a thank you for her sponsorship by team captain Pamela Treanor.

LEAGUE MEDALS PRESENTATION
The Dublin Women’s Soccer League will hold their presentation night in the Lucan Spa Hotel, Dublin on November 9th and Monaghan United ladies will be traveling in numbers to collect their League Medals for winning the 3 North Division this season.

All players interested in attending the awards should contact Padraig Cassidy on 087 6333503 for tickets and accommodation arrangements.

MONAGHAN UNITED LADIES FLAG DAY
Monaghan United Ladies will hold a flag day on Saturday 27th October in Monaghan Town and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Under 13’s National Cup
Monaghan United U13's had a home fixture against Ardee in Belgium Park on Saturday in the
National Cup, although Monaghan have two games under their belt you would not have thought this in the first half on Saturday. Monaghan had all the possession but making very little use of it, they had no penetration up through the middle and the quality of crosses was very poor. They eventually paid the price when Ardee, with one of their few counter attacks stuck the ball in the net helped on by some bad defending, however Monaghan stuck to their task and eventually got an equalizer just before half time. The goal came from an excellent corner kick by Michael Galligan to the relief of the Monaghan support.

Monaghan started the second half well possibly due to a few changes, one was the introduction of Kevin Loughran in midfield and this seemed to give Monaghan a spring in their step with more ball coming through the middle. This in turn set up Benin Devlin with his first goal slipping the ball under the Keeper.

Monaghan built from this and went on to dominate the game more, following with two more goals, one each from Benin Devlin and Michael Galligan. Ardee never gave up and still looked very dangerous on the break, but the defence of C Lavelle B Harraghy, S Owens, K Murray and keeper R Shields kept them out. Monaghan played some nice football in the second half and to round it off man of the match Bennin Devlin scored a great individual goal to get his Hatrick. Overall it was a very good 5-1 win for Monaghan.

Team: R Shields, K Murray, S Owens, B Harraghy, C Lavelle, E Doherty, C Forde, M Galligan, D Mc Bride, P Byrne, B Devlin, M Dwyer, K Loughran, C Nesson and K Lynch.

Managers: P Owens and N Harraghy

Under 14’s National Cup
Monaghan United’s U14’s secured there 1st win of the National Cup with an assured 4-0 performance over Albion Rovers in Belgium Park on Sunday last. The County Meath team proved to be quality opposition and gave United their sternest test of the season so far. Conor Moynagh broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when he headed home from a James McAllister shot which had rebounded off the crossbar. Monaghan had the better of the exchanges but the resilience of Albion left the score at 1-0 for the hometown team at half time.

United started brightly in the second half with James Clarke scoring a brace in the 12th and 18th minutes. Colin Clerkin made it 4-0 when he finished from a James Clarke cross in the 19th minute. This was a good test for United, complimented by a good performance by all squad members United look forward to a good run in the National Cup.

Team: Andy Fallon, Niall Greenan, Donal Courtney, Neill Askin, Cian Byrne, Paul McConkey, Shane Larkin, James McAllister, Conor Moynagh, James Clarke, Colin Clerkin, Colm Flynn, Darren McMahon, Seadh Deeney, Elliot Maguire, Shane Hannon, Gavin Farrelly, Thomas Doody, Karl McQuaid.

Managers: Seamus Deeney and Kevin Maguire.