DONEGAL’S FINEST VISIT CHP
This Friday night sees Monaghan United take on our fellow Ulstermen in an always entertaining eircom League clash. Finn Harps roll into town hoping to improve on their recent slump in form which has taken them out of contention for the First Division Crown. A frustrated United will undoubtedly be upping their game after a disappointing result in Cobh last Saturday. United had gone 2-0 down to Ramblers but rallied and managed to get one goal back when Austin McCann fired home in the 78th minute and they were unlucky not to get the equaliser in the much improved latter part of the game.
David Lee will be hoping to add to his 9 goal tally which sees him sitting in 2nd place in the First Division top scorers league, but all eyes will be on Cavan youngster Cian Mackey to see if he can replicate his outstanding performances in the 2 games he has played so far. Mackey has been a triumph on the pitch for the U21’s all season and managed to net his first senior goal on his debut against Kilkenny City where his goal compounded City’s bottom of the table misery.
United will be without our reliable workhorse Barry Burke as he sits out a suspension and Kevin Cronin will also be missing from action due to suspension. Mons number 1 net minder, Robbie Horgan, will be back between the sticks for his first home match in some time and it is hoped that his experience will help settle the defence and make it impermeable for Harps. All it all it is shaping up to be an epic game with plenty of points to be proven and hopefully 3 points to be won by United. Kick off 8pm at Century Homes Park.
LADIES IN LENISTER JUNIOR CUP SEMI FINALS
Monaghan United’s women’s team hope to continue their winning ways as they take on Dublin side Cabinteely in the Leinster Junior Cup Semi Finals in Sandyford, Dublin this Sunday. Kick off is 3pm for anyone interested in travelling up. This will be a tough game for the women as Cabinteely came out on top of their league which is 2 divisions higher than the league United played in, but the Mons will have no fear. Despite a few injuries, United will show the fighting spirit which has stood them in such good stead all season when they take on the girls from Cabinteely. Best of luck to Liam, Chris and the team and hopefully the Final is just a game away!
JUVENILE JOTTINGS
TIGHT TEAMWORK TELLS FOR THE U12 MIGHTY MONS.
Playing away, on a small pitch where any mistake gets punished the Monaghan Utd U12’s put on a first class display of teamwork against a physically stronger Bay Utd side. Central Defender Niall Donnelly played a true Captain’s role. His accurate passing from defence was instrumental in a number of the goals. Shane Loughran opened his account five minutes into the first half, rounding two defenders and the keeper to slot the ball home. Four minutes later, after a superb pass from midfielder Darragh Connolly, Shane Loughran hit a rocket to the roof of the net.
Bay Utd rallied and the Mons defence of Michael McCrarren, Pauric Murphy, Niall Donnelly, Andrew Myles and Fergal Malone fought hard to stem the tide. Bay‘s pressure finally resulted in a goal for the home side in the twelfth minute. This stung the Monaghan team into action. Midfielders, David McBride, Darragh Connolly, Sean Mohan and Jason Carey closed down any space in the middle of the park and picked up on the passes from the defence. Goal number three came from hat trick hero Shane Loughran after a pinpoint pass from Niall Donnelly. Halftime Monaghan Utd 3- Bay Utd 1.
Just over six minutes into the second half Niall Donnelly cleared from defence to Jason Carey who hit an early pass to send Ruarai Sheehan goal ward to finish with a powerhouse to the top corner.
Bay continued to use their physical strength. Andrew Myles closed down a number of attempts to storm down the middle. Matthew Kavanagh, Shane Power, and Ciaran Neeson brought fresh impetus to the Monaghan performance. Callum Maguire came close to scoring on three occasions. He was fouled on the edge of the box having broken through the Bay defence. Evan Doherty took the resulting free to score with what was the last kick of the game. Monaghan Utd 5 -Bay Utd 1. This result keeps Monaghan Utd joint top of the Premiere League. Keep up the commitment and results will follow.
TEAM: Michael McCrarren, Pauric Murphy, Niall Donnelly, Andrew Myles, Fergal Malone, David McBride, Darragh Connolly, Jason Carey, Sean Mohan, Ruarai Sheehan, Shane Loughran, Shane Power, Evan Doherty, Matthew Kavanagh, Callum Maguire. Ciaran Neeson .
MANAGER: Tommy Myles.
UNDER 13’S MAKE IT 4-0
Monaghan United’s Under 13’s recorded three wins out of three matches when they defeated Glenmuir United in Dundalk on Saturday. Both teams started nervously and the windy conditions prevented a free flowing game. Monaghan threatened throughout the first half but the Glenmuir defence held solid. Monaghan got the breakthrough on the 25th minute when James Clarke smashed a 20 yard free kick into the corner of the net.
Glenmuir rallied however and came close on a couple of occasions after the re-start. A superb volley by James McAllister on the 7th minute broke the Glenmuir hearts as United went on to control the remainder of the match. Myles Dwyer scored a peach of a goal on the 20th minute of the second half when he expertly finished a James Clarke cross. James McAllister wrapped things up in the 23rd minute to leave the final score 4-0 to United. This was a solid team performance after a long lay off and it augurs well for the future.
TEAM: James Allister, Andy Falker, Donal Courney, Dylan McMahon, Cian Byrne Paul McConkey, Conor Moynagh, James Clarke, James McAllister, Shane Larkin, Niall Greenan, Myles Dwyer, Seadh Deeney, Adrian Prunty, Shane Hannon.
MANAGER: Seamus Deeney
REMINDER TO MANAGERS: Please have all match reports in the letterbox at Century Homes Park or emailed to julieann_sherlock@hotmail.com by Monday evening.
