McCAREY CALLED UP AGAIN
Monaghan United Under 15’s goalkeeper Aaron McCarey received the good news he was hoping for this week when it was confirmed that he would be travelling to France with the Republic of Ireland Under 15’s squad from the 2nd December to the 7th for the upcoming International Tournament. It will be a hectic fortnight for McCarey as he will be travelling to Aston Villa for training from the 9th December until the 16th.
Good luck and congratulations again Aaron.
LIONS CLUB TOURNAMENT GETS UNDER WAYMonaghan United’s Under 14’s side under the management of Seamie Deeney will represent Monaghan County in the Lions Club under 14’s tournament starting this Friday night. Seamie and his team will have big shoes to fill as last year’s under 14’s under Brian Finnegan won the competition outright but going on their present form, this should be a challenge that they are up to.
Good luck to Seamie and the boys. The match kicks off at 7.30 this Friday night at Kingspan Century Park.
UNDER 14’S DISAPPOINTED WITH DRAWMonaghan Celtic 14’s were disappointed with a nil all draw when they played Glenmuir Celtic under lights on the main pitch at Kingspan Century Park last Friday night. United could have been 3 nil up in the first 5 minutes as they pushed for goal but poor finishing denied them the score line they deserved. Niall Skinnader and Michael McCarron were the main force to be reckoned with as they sought goal but despite being the stronger team Celtic were unable to take all 3 points.
This was the 3rd cleansheet for this team and they have taken 7 points from the last 3 games as they mount their surprise attack on the league. This is a much improved team and they have been working hard in recent weeks.
Team: S Rooney, K Mooney, S Mc Quaid, J Mc Philips, D Mullen, C Boylan, C Blacklock, M Mc Crarron, S Mc Gonnell, S Gaffney, N Skinninader, D Mc Partland, S Keelaghan, M Caufield, R Sweeney, S Keenan.
Managers: Paul Rooney and Declan O’Sullivan
FALLON HAT-TRICK PUTS UTD INTO LAST 16 IN NATIONAL CUP
Monaghan United’s Under 17’s team produced another magnificent performance in Dublin on Sunday when they came from behind to claim a fine victory over top Dublin Club St Kevin’s. United started very well and were well on top and it was no surprise when Dermot Malone shot United ahead on 12 minutes with a well placed shot to the corner of the St Kevin’s net.
The Monaghan side were playing open flowing football with the impressive Philip O’Callaghan a driving force in central midfield and the overlapping runs from Cillian Coleman at right back a feature in the first half. United gave away a penalty on 25 minutes which saw St Kevin’s draw level. Within 5 minutes St Kevin’s took the lead against the run of play when centre forward Murphy fired home from close range.
During this hectic period United had missed a penalty themselves when Philip Donnelly saw his kick well saved.
United started the second half in determined mood and create several chances but failed to convert any of them. With 20 minutes remaining the very impressive strike partnership of Philip Donnelly and Jimmy Fallon combined for Fallon to pull United level. Three minutes later Dermot Malone won a ball in a central position and his excellent through ball found Donnelly. The impish Blackhill lad showed tremendous composure to put Monaghan 3-2 ahead. Now totally on top Jimmy Fallon went on to complete his hat trick and seal United’s place in the last 16 of the National Cup. Aaron McCarey was sound in the United goals and the back four of McMahon, McKenna and Coleman marshalled by captain Niall Flynn, were in fine form. Coleman came close to a man of the match performance.
The Midfield is a real powerhouse with Philip O’Callaghan, Marty Hanley, Fintan Galligan and the returning Dermot Malone all in outstanding form. Strike pair Philip Donnelly and Jimmy Fallon are building a great partnership and were superb. Raymond Lee, Darren Keely, Kelvin McEntee, Charlie McDonald and Kevin Martin also all play a vital part of this United squad.
Manager John Heffernan was very pleased with the overall performance but he said that the real credit for this side must go to Under 16’s manager Kieran McMahon and Under 15’s manager Brian Finnegan who have worked hard to develop these young players and when blended together with a few older lads they have been excellent. Heffernan said “the club must now make every effort to develop this team and leave no stone unturned to bring a number of them right up to senior level.” Indeed senior manager Mick Cooke has taken notice of some of the Under 17’s already with Niall Flynn making the bench in the last game of the season.
With the view of bringing many more players through from Juvenile level to Senior level, Monaghan United’s Committee are considering the possibility of entering a team in the new FAI “A” Championship as well as the new Under 20’s league which will replace the current Under 21 league.
Chairman Jim McGlone stated “I feel that by entering a team in the “A” championship we will give more local young lads a chance to make the step up to Senior football and this will help them develop further. The “A” championship will in effect be like a “B” team for United with many of the lads playing on it being made available for the Senior squad”
All Premier Division teams will be required to enter a team in the “A” Championship so this will be a highly valuable development ground for the next batch of FAI eircom League players. United’s decision to contemplate entering this league reflects their commitment to the development of young players. The new league will add extra cost burdens to the club but the Committee feel it may need to take the step to ensure that young talented players in the area do not slip through the net.
Heffernan felt that it would not be fair to single out any one player from last Sunday’s match as the overall team performance was excellent. Heffernan finished by saying“fingers crossed for a home draw in the next round!”
REAVEY HITS THREE AS UNITED U18S DROP POINTS
A game totally dominated by the United side saw them throw away a lead twice and miss numerous scoring chances against Dundalk side Shamrock Celtic in Oriel Park. This is a result which they could come to regret at the season’s end. United’s star man Shane Reavey hit two spectacular free kicks and a tremendous volley to secure his hat trick. He did not deserve to be on a side that dropped points.
United led with 2 minutes left on the clock but a penalty conceded saw Shamrocks grab an unlikely point.
Fintan Galligan had the chance to win it for the Monaghan side in injury time but twice the Shamrock’s keeper denied him with great saves. The Under 18’s next game is away to Glenmuir on Wednesday November 28th at 7.30pm.
