Meenan Thrills Mons - Monaghan Utd -v- Shelbourne

Monaghan United's Darren Meenan sealed victory for the Mons in the 75th minute with a superb spinning strike which the Shelbourne 'keeper was unable to keep a hold on in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division game last Friday night.

Both sides started brightly and chased an opening goal early in the game. Ex-Monaghan player Ciaran Quinn was causing problems for the Mons defence within minutes of the game kicking off but Paul Whelan soon had him under control. The Monaghan quartet of Robbie Farrell, Willie Doyle, Darren Meenan and Wayne Byrne soon showed Shels that they meant business as they busied themselves pushing on towards goal but they were unable to break through the Shelbourne defence on this occasion.

Noel Haverty tried to set up Shels team mate Alan Keely but despite Keely stretching out full, he was unable to get to the ball. Kevin Williamson responded with some fancy footwork showing why is seen as one of the most hardworking and skillful players in the Monaghan ranks but he was dispossessed before he could do any real damage.

Shelbourne headed back down the pitch but their shot deflected out for a goal kick. Shels won a throw and Haverty found Alan Murphy who struck with a thunderous shot but Danny Woods was impressive in his stopping.

United had another chance themselves when Andrew Cousins stepped up to take a well placed free kick. Cousins was unfortunate that Tony O’Dowd was able to get to it without much difficulty. Shelbourne seemed to have found their stride and were formidable in their attacking. Luke Fitzpatrick and Dom Tierney were called upon on many occasions to clear and send the ball back into the middle of the field.

Robbie Farrell had another chance following Darren Meenan’s run up the pitch. Meenan was taken down but advantage was played as Willie Doyle found Robbie oncoming. Robbie rounded the defence but his shot was tipped over by O’Dowd. The resulting corner was fumbled by the Mons players and out for a goal kick.

Meenan and Doyle looked dangerous again moments later when Doyle sent in a ball for Meenan. Darren was unable to get to it as it had gone too far and rolled out for a goal kick. United continued to work hard but were unable to make it pay. Shelbourne seemed to be wasting opportunities to progress up the field by some sloppy midfield passing but eventually they broke through.

Haverty took a free for Shels but Woods was able to pluck it out of the sky with ease. Danny Woods was called upon moments later and made a fantastic diving save as he put the ball out for a corner. United closed Shelbourne’s short corner down and won a goal kick to end the move.

Just before half time United won a free when Ciaran Quinn gathered up the ball and sent in a cross for the oncoming Mark Leech. Leech fouled Paul Whelan and United’s resulting free was the last kick in the first half leaving the sides even.

As Mons tried to press on for goal in the 2nd half, Robbie Farrell was very unfortunate when the ball bounced up and hit his hand giving Shelbourne a free. The free came to nothing and United were soon bearing down on Shels again but the opportunity was wasted when Farrell’s weak shot rolled out for a goal kick.

Mark Leech showed his footballing pedigree with some fancy footwork before passing to Quinn but Ciaran was unable to capitalise on the pass. Kieran Harte got his first opportunity to shine as he tried to cross the ball in but sent it too far across the mouth of the Mons goal.

As Dom Tierney continued to work hard in the middle of the field for United, Monaghan were increasingly looking like the most likely side to score. A Fitzpatrick free kick found Willie Doyle but Doyle sent the ball too high and well over the crossbar.

United sustained their assault on O’Dowd’s goal and had 3 missed chances in a matter of seconds. Robbie Farrell thought he had broken the deadlock but his goal was disallowed. Farrell was still chasing the elusive when moments later his weak shot was caught by O’Dowd.

Shelbourne showed no mercy as they tried to stop Kevin Williamson from breaking through and Williamson did well to stay on his feet as he was hunted down. He took the free kick that he won but the goalie was up to the job and kept his strike out.

Shelbourne substitute Glen Lacey must have been kicking himself after he missed a sitter following a mistake by the Monaghan defence but Danny Woods came to the rescue once more. Shel’s seemed to be turning the tables and had a moment of opportunities starting from a throw but Woods was relieved when the ball went out for him to kick out.

United headed back up the pitch and Farrell was hoping to help his fellow Mon, Doyle, to break the stalemate as he crossed the ball in. Doyle was unable to shoot and the move died off. Wayne Byrne sent a long throw into the Shelbourne half and Farrell tried to apply more pressure but he over hit the ball and Shelbourne were awarded a throw.

As Shelbourne tried to turn the tide, Dom Tierney seemed ever present to prevent them breaking through. One of his dispossessions was passed to the nimble Darren Meenan who darted up the wing dancing his way through Shelbourne players. He took a chance and sent a tornado of a shot goalwards and was celebrating on the 75th minute as O’Dowd was unable to grasp the spinning ball and it slid out of his hands and across the line.

Shelbourne stepped up a gear in search of an equaliser and had a penalty shout waved away, but no matter what they threw at United, the Mons defence stood up to it. Mark O’Brien looked like he might get the much coveted goal with 2 minutes to go in ordinary time but he sent the ball wide.

As the clock ticked down in the 3 minutes of time added, Shelbourne came close again but their corner went wide. Mons substitute Khalid Hussein had a great run in the dying seconds but was unable to add to the scoreline.

Mons claimed all 3 points, which leaves them 2 points below Kildare County in the table, with their 1-0 victory against the 2006 eircom League Champions.

MONAGHAN UNITED: Woods; Whelan, Fitzpatrick, Mooney, Williamson; Cousins (Gannon 60), Tierney, Meenan, Byrne; Farrell, Doyle (Hussein 77).

SHELBOURNE: O'Dowd; Haverty, Keely, Collins(Brophy 83), McCullouch; Harte (Gartland 57), O'Brien, Murphy, Rooney; Leech, Quinn (Lacey 57).