MONS LIMBER UP FOR LAST GAME OF SEASON
Monaghan United FC play their last game of the 2008 season in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division this Saturday night at 7.45pm at Kingspan Century Park. The 2008 season has been a mixed bag for United with some startling results (4-0 victory against Shelbourne) and some disappointments (2-2 draw with Athlone by giving a penalty away in 90th minute) making for an interesting if inconsistent season. Mick Cooke’s team had aimed for a mid-table finish this season and but will fall short of their goal even if United can beat Limerick 37 on Saturday.
Monaghan United and Limerick 37 have provided each other with some good games during the season with Limerick coming out on top in the first two encounters (both 1-0 victories for Limerick) and United surprising Limerick on their last meeting in Jackman Park when United won 2-0 thanks to goals from United’s Robbie Farrell and Willie Doyle.
As the season winds down, United will be glad of the break giving them time to re-coup and hopefully pull together an even stronger squad for next season.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Following the final FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division game between Monaghan United and Limerick 37 this Saturday night, Monaghan United will be having their Player of the Year awards in the Clubhouse.
This year there are awards in the categories of Player of the Year, Supporters Club Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
RAMBLERS WANGLE RESULT
Top of the League Cobh Ramblers had a hard fought victory over injury struck Monaghan United in St. Colman’s Park last Sunday in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division. Mons were a greatly under strength side with 10 players unavailable on the day! This included 3 goalkeepers when regular number 1 Alvin Rouse was struck down with a tummy bug. Alvin’s usual replacements of Danny Woods and Darren McQuaid were both unable to play due to injuries and the net minding fell to young Ronan McGann, making his senior debut for United. United were also without long term injured Jason McCartney, Stephen Finnegan and Peter D’arcy together with striker Willie Doyle who has just had a much needed knee operation. During the warm up, the curse of Monaghan United struck young Ian McCluskey as he did some damage to his ankle. Barry Burke and Kevin Williamson’s suspensions completed the line up of players unable to take the field.
Despite the amount of players Mick had to plan without, the United team that took to the pitch played a solid game of ball and Ronan McGann had the game of his life. Playing in front of a packed St. Colman’s park against the team who are likely to win the First Division, McGann seemed unfazed and held his ground, even making a magnificent penalty save.
In the 1st half, United were let off the hook when Kieran O’Reilly’s penalty kick was saved by McGann diving across the goal mouth and sending it out for a corner. Cobh were unable to find the net until 2 minutes into the 2nd half when Davin O’Neill put one past McGann from a corner. The Alan Carey corner was headed down by Shane Guthrie who set O’Neill up for the strike.
United responded almost immediately and Robbie Farrell found the equaliser for the visitors in the 55th minute with the ball taking a deflection off the Cobh goalkeeper James McCartney. Cobh were not ready to concede the game so quickly and within 2 minutes they were back in front, once more courtesy of Davin O’Neill. This goal again came from a corner with John Kearney being the provider.
United continued to battle on and were lucky not to go further into the deficit when Cobh were awarded another penalty. This time the crossbar was the hero and O’Neill went without his hattrick.
Monaghan showed a good account for themselves despite the struggle to field a team and if they can play like that against Limerick 37 the Treaty city team have their work cut out for them.
MONAGHAN UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB DRAW
Tickets are still available for the Monaghan United Supporters Club Draw and the date of the draw has been changed to the 26th November to allow all ticket holders to return their tickets to the club. This is an excellent chance to win €10,000 in cash as Christmas approaches.
Anyone still wishing to support the club’s fundraising efforts with this draw can purchase tickets from the Club house (047 84798) or through any committee member.
UNITED HOST FAI DEFIB TRAINING
The Greg Turley Suite at Monaghan United FC’s Kingspan Century Park played host to the FAI’s Basic Life Support techniques and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) course for the FAI eircom League of Ireland clubs. Eight clubs attended this course as the FAI begin the roll out of training to all 22 clubs.
Monaghan United were joined by medical, physiotherapy, coaching and administrative staff from Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps, Bray Wanderers, St. Patrick’s Athletic, Drogheda United and Derry City in doing this important life saving course.
Monaghan United have secured one of 4 AED units that the FAI had purchased for eircom League clubs and United were well represented on the course by a mixture of Juvenile managers and administrative staff to try and ensure that, should the occasion ever arise, United have someone on standby able to use the equipment and hopefully save a life.
NATIONAL CUP FEVER GRIPS UNITED
Monaghan United’s Juvenile teams had a busy weekend with National Cup games and the Under 12’s, 14’s 15’s and 16’s all progressed to the next round.
The Under 12’s annihilated Ashbourne in a 5-1 goal fest and the Under 14’s made short shrift of Swords winning 2-0 after extra time. The Under 15’s and 16’s pushed things to the limit with 2-2 and 3-3 full time scores respectively. The Under 15’s finally over came Glebe North 6-3 with penalties after extra time and the Under 16’s knocked Clontarf out 7-4 after extra time and penalties.
Good luck to the four teams as they march on in the National Cup.
MONS LADIES TITLE PRESENTATION
Monaghan United’s ladies team head to The Lucan Spa Hotel this Friday night to collect their League Title at a special presentation dance. Anyone wishing to go witness this historic moment as the ladies collect their first league title should contact Padraig Cassidy on 087 6333503.
