THOROUGHBREDS NEXT AT KINGSPAN CENTURY PARK
Monaghan United will be hoping to make amends for their recent defeat at the hands of John Ryan's Kildare County when they visit on Friday night. Kildare made things very difficult for the Mons when they visited Station Road on the 5th of May but have struggled since then only managing a 1-1 draw against bottom of the table Athlone and being beaten 5-0 by Shelbourne. They are back on form however having beaten Wexford Youths 2-0 in the midweek fixture and will be hoping to find some consistency when they make their first trip of the season to Kingspan Century Park.
The game kicks off at 8pm so come out and cheer on Your Magic Mons.
Monaghan v Dundalk
Dundalk arrived for Fridays match as leaders in Divison 1and on the back of a surprise defeat to Shelbourne last week. From the off you could see that they were determined to make amends for that defeat. Monaghan on the other hand who had been going through a bad patch recently steadied the ship last week with a good display away against Limerick by sharing the points there.
From the start Dundalk were in attack mode, most of their attacks were route one, whipping in long balls to Tiernan Mulvenna and David O’ Connor up front. Danny Woods dealt easily with those balls. The Monaghan back line of Whelan, Williamson and Byrne were very solid, Byrne especially was very strong in the air. With wave after wave of attack it only seemed a matter of time before Dundalk would get their first goal. Dundalk keeper didn’t have to make one decent save during the first half. It appeared the United were prepared to settle for the one point going into this game and the way they defended they got their match plan right. So at the end of 45 minutes of a poor quality football it was nil all.
Dundalk commenced the second half in the same manner they competed in the first. However attack wise it was much better half for United and as it continued they grew in confidence. Lannigan, Maher and Hand started running at the defence. With a couple of very good moves which Meenan started and finished Monaghan should have scored. United were going well when on 75 minutes Paul Whelan got a second yellow card for a late tackle on Paul Smyth. But instead of sitting back and holding out with the 10 men Monaghan continued to move forward. On 80 minutes with his first touch after coming on as a replacement Robbie Collins should have scored
This was a very good defensive performance by the United team. Before been taken off James Hand had run himself into the ground and he was very ably assisted by Ian Maher and Stephen Mc. Crossan. Paul Whelan was coming back to his old form and was unfortunate to get the first yellow card, he could have no complaints with the second, it was a badly timed tackle. Danny Woods was very confident especially in dealing with crosses and high balls.
Dundalk had three ex-United players in their panel, Robbie Farrell, started and was replaced by Trevor Vaughan in the second half, local man Paul Smyth also came on in the second half.
Monaghan United’s line up for the match was
1. Danny Woods, 2 Paul Whelan, 3Wayne Byrne,4.Aaron Mooney, 6. Don Tierney, 7.Darren Meenan, 8. Stephen Mc. Crossan, 9. Eoin Lanigan, 10. Ian Maher, 11.James Hand.
Subs. 12. Kieran Reilly, 13. Ian Malone, 14. Robbie Collins,
15. Darren Hanaphy, 16. Ronan Mc. Gann.
MONAGHAN UNITED TEAM SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD
Prior to the Monaghan United - v - Dundalk game, the Monaghan United squad posed for a photograph for the Show Racism the Red Card Programme. This is a programme that Monaghan United are currently rolling out in the local schools and are delighted to be involved in.
Shelbourne v Monaghan United
This Tuesday 20th. May we are away to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
Shelbourne are on the crest of a wave at the moment having joined Dundalk as joint leaders on Division 1 and in fact beating Dundalk 10 days ago to get there. To say that they are in promotion mode would be an understatement so United will have a tough task to get any points from this fixture. Nonetheless on their performances in their last two outings against Limerick and Dundalk, Monaghan will be no pushover. They displayed against Dundalk how tenaciously they can defend, their first aim was get a point and if possible build on this and get all three points. They will have to try the same tactic against Shels. The task is not impossible we have already taken the scalps of the Dublin side at home at Kingspan Century Park this season - Tolka Park will be tougher.
We are looking forward to a good away support and are especially calling on our many Dublin based supporters to come along and cheer on the “Magic Mons.”
Kick off is at 7.45.p.m.
United Ladies
Major League.
Santry FC 1-1 Monaghan United
United began their league campaign on Monday away to Santry with a one all draw. United started poorly and were under pressure for the first 15 minutes and were lucky not to concede a score during this period. United started to come into the game but were unfortunate on the quarter hour to be beaten by a speculative lobbed high ball from outside the box which went to the roof of the net. In fairness United didn’t let this set back get them down and within
5 minutes were back on level terms when a fine run down the right wing by Charlene Graham, then crossed into find Orla Callan who controlled the ball well and coolly finished to the Santry net. United then continued to dominate the remainder of the half and had several chances to go ahead but failed to convert any of them. It was more of the same in the second half with almost complete domination from United. Santry were poor on the night, Monaghan should have claimed all 3 points and while an away draw generally is a good result However United will look back on this as 2 easy points lost. The best chances fell to Suzanne Gordon, Orla Callan and Tessa Fleming. We will have to put it down to first night nerves, they will meet much better and tougher opposition during the season where chances won’t be as plentiful. A lot of simple mistakes were made on the night so there is plenty to be worked on at the training sessions. They have not become a poor team overnight and with proper commitment and dedication from all should in no time get back to the winning ways of last season.
Subs used :- Slaney Murray,Caoimhe Dolan, Elevana Norkeviciute.
Training Thursday evening 7.p.m. full turn out important.
Next Game. On Mon day next 26th. May we are at home to Ballyolster(Celbridge) kick off 7.30.p.m.
Juvenile Football.
Congratulations to our under 15 on their winning the final of the Paddy Mc. Court Cup by defeating Quay Celtic. Well done to the management team.
Mini-Leagues.
Mini Leagues resume this Sunday.
Blackwater 10K
The 1st Blackwater 10k run took place last Sunday. Our club were delighted to have been able to place our facilities at Kingspan Century Park at the disposal of the organising committee. The day was such a success that there is no doubt that this will be an annual event and we would be honoured to be involved. This was a cross-border community event which was very professionally organised. Almost 1,000 participants took part. It was probably the first time that many locals were in our club and now that they know where we are they might support us in our football exploits.
Thanks to all our committee members who assisted on the day and with the preparations leading up to it.
Clubhouse Facilities.
For the past number of week- ends our club house committee has been very busy catering for First Communions, Confirmations, Birthday Parties etc. Anyone wishing to hire out facilities phone Jim at the Clubhouse 04784798, please book in time to avoid disappointment.
