Match Preview Thread - W/E 13th March

**Magicme** · 12/03/2009, 11:49 AM

Just thinking that since all club media officers send out a match preview to the press before 1pm the day before the match that it might be an idea to get them posted in here so that people can have a look at what the other clubs are saying about their games.

Am waiting on our media officers preview at the moment but will post it up when I get it.

**Magicme** · 12/03/2009, 12:06 PM

MONAGHAN UNITED -V- SHELBOURNE MATCH PREVIEW

Friday night sees the arrival of Shelbourne FC to Kingspan Century Park with an 8pm kick off for Monaghan United’s first home game of the season.

Last season the Dublin side were very disappointed not to have gone back to the Premier Division where they believe they belong. Dundalk just pipped them at the post for the one promotional position that was available and indeed Monaghan United had a little say in the matter when we defeated them in their first visit of the season and indeed would prove to have been one of the few teams to do so.

Shels arrive here having beaten Wexford Youths 2-1 at home in what appears to have been a game they controlled from start to finish with Wexford’s goal coming against the run of play. Manager Dermot Keeley appears to have a good balance of skill and experience.

Richie Baker returns for his third time at the club and indeed had a part to play in each of the two goals at the weekend, they have also snatched up David Mc. Allister of Drogheda United from under the noses of the premier sides and he was man of the match against Wexford and they are also backed up by the very reliable Kevin Doherty formerly of Liverpool.

Shels would see their fellow metropolitans – Sporting Fingal as their main rivals for promotions this season.

On recent form Monaghan United will be a match for the best in the Division, in the first game of the season they had a real test against Longford and when they conceded the three goals in quick succession they displayed that they are not a side that ‘does panic.’

Manager Mick Cooke seems to have put a good side together, the new signings look keen and composed. I believe that he is lucky to be meeting a team of Shelbourne’s calibre so early in the season as it will be a true test of his side’s ability.

So let’s hope we have a good crowd for the 8.p.m. kick off.

LIST OF INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS:

INJURIES
NONE

SUSPENSIONS
Barry Clancy

MANAGER QUOTES:

“We need to get a good start to the season and if we hope to move up a division we have to beat the better teams especially at home and in Shelbourne we have one such team.”

“I believe that United are a team worth supporting this season and in Friday night’s game we should have a cracker. Shelbourne always bring a good support that creates a bit of atmosphere.”

“I will be planning without Clancy who is suspended but other than that I have, at present, a full squad to pick from”

LAST RESULTS:

Longford Town 3-3 Monaghan United

NEXT FIVE FIXTURES:

Fri March 20th UCD – v – Monaghan United
Fri March 27th Monaghan United –v- Mervue United
Sat April 4th Limerick – v – Monaghan United
Fri April 10th Monaghan United – v – Sporting Fingal
Sat April 18th Waterford – v – Monaghan United

ENDS

**GlasnevinRed** · 12/03/2009, 12:10 PM

Just a quick note on that, it's Richie Baker not Dessie Baker that's returned to Shels.

Really looking forward to tomorrow night now.

**Rovers Maniac** · 12/03/2009, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Magicme

Just thinking that since all club media officers send out a match preview to the press before 1pm the day before the match that it might be an idea to get them posted in here so that people can have a look at what the other clubs are saying about their games.

Am waiting on our media officers preview at the moment but will post it up when I get it.

Superb idea !

**Mr A** · 12/03/2009, 12:31 PM

Harps V Longford Preview

**Sunny Jim** · 12/03/2009, 12:41 PM

From the WYFC website:

Youths squad limited as Derby looms

Wexford Youths FC face Waterford United at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night in their opening home fixture of the 2009 League of Ireland season. Both sides didn't record the results that they craved on the opening day of the season, so this derby is a must win for both teams.

The Youths still have several long term absentees, such as Richie Fitzgerald who is nursing a hamstring injury, while Lee Aust is ruled out again with a groin strain. Paul Murphy and Danny Furlong are still working their way back to full fitness, with Murphy recovering from a cruciate operation and Furlong from a groin problem.

“We've had a very difficult start to the season already with Shelbourne last week, Waterford on Friday night and then a tough away fixture against Sporting Fingal coming up next week, so we're already under pressure to get a result,” Wallace said. “Waterford are one of the bookies favorites to go up, so we know how difficult this game will be. Stephen Henderson has built a side thats a combination of Waterford and Cobh Ramblers of last year, so their a very experienced side.”

Conor Sinnott came on for the last few minutes against Shelbourne and will be pushing for a starting berth in midfield. Both Paul Rossiter and David Breen picked up yellow cards last week and are now suspended for Friday. Breen will be extremely disappointed that he's missing out on the chance to play against his old side. However goalkeeper Packie Holden and defender Tim McGrath will be looking forward to facing their old side.

“At the start of the season I would have taken 3 points from the opening three fixtures, due to the difficulty of the task. We were very unlucky to lose to Shelbourne last week, so now we know we really have to win one of these fixtures,” said Wallace.

Suspended:
David Breen
Paul Rossiter

Injured:
Paul Murphy
Richie Fitzgerald
Danny Furlong
Lee Aust

**pineapple stu** · 12/03/2009, 12:58 PM

UCD v Fingal

**gufc2000** · 12/03/2009, 6:32 PM

Galway Utd vs Dundalk
Foster appeals for support

Thursday, 12 March 2009
Galway United manager Ian Foster has called on the Galway sporting public to come out in force and help his side maintain their great start to the season.
His reign as manager got off to a flying start when two goals from Derek O’Brien and one from Vinny Faherty secured a 3-0 win away to St Pat’s.
“It is vital now that we build on that result. It will be a long season and inevitably there will be ups and downs, but it would be great to notch another win.
“Hopefully, there will be a huge crowd for the visit of Dundalk. The club needs the sort of support which came out in the latter half of last season to get behind the side from the outset this year.
“Certainly, those who made the trip to St Pat’s last weekend enjoyed the performance and the result, so hopefully they will be out in force this Friday,” said Foster.
The United boss expects a tough challenge from a Dundalk side who went down 1-0 to champions Bohemians on their first match back in the top flight.
“They will be extremely anxious to get a result after that loss but every game will be tough this season and we know we will need to be in top form if we are to win.
“Confidence is high after a good pre-season campaign and the win on the opening night and hopefully we can continue that start,” added the United boss.
Foster has an injury concern over David Cooke but otherwise has no new injury concerns from the squad which defeated St Pat’s.

Injuries:
Dave Cooke (doubtful)
Not sure about Dundalk team news

Suspensions:

Referee:
Mark Gough

**Enruoblehs** · 12/03/2009, 6:33 PM

Monaghan v SHELS

http://www.shelbournefc.ie/news.php?id=1138

**Westernblue** · 12/03/2009, 7:59 PM

http://waterford-united.ie/

**Marco** · 12/03/2009, 8:02 PM

Well done Magic

How's the milking goin ...

**Dunny** · 12/03/2009, 8:43 PM

http://www.dundalkfc.com/news/090312_Galway.asp

Dundalk travel to Terryland Park on Friday night to take on Galway United (kick-off 7.45). The team news from Oriel Park is mixed - Darren Mansaram is rated at 50/50 to make a start. Michael Collins involvement has been held up due to an issue with his international clearance although Dundalk remain hopeful that the issue can be resolved soon.

Dundalk fans attending the match will be based in Section F&G (the same section as our last visit to Galway in October 2006). Galway United have announced that there will be no pre-sale of match tickets so all tickets will be on sale at the ground. Zero tolerance towards alcohol in the ground. Plus, if you are driving please be aware that you will need to arrive before 7.15 if you wish to stand any chance of getting a car parking space near the ground.

**Battery Rover** · 12/03/2009, 10:02 PM

Athlone Town vs Kildare County - Team News

A large attendance is expected Saturday night to see new manager Brendan Place take charge in his first competitive home fixture since taking over the reigns from Dermot Lennon when Kildare County are the visitors to Athlone Town Stadium for the first home game of the 2009 season. Kick off 8pm

If you had looked at the way the league was shaping up in December you would have thought that this fixture had no chance of happening with Kildare County losing the relegation play off against Mervue United and Athlone on the verge of dropping out of League of Ireland football for the foreseeable future due to financial difficulties

Fate though is a strange thing with County being given a reprieve when Cobh Ramblers failed to secure a license for the season and Athlone Town being saved by its friends and supporters who joined their patrons scheme. There is no doubt without their support the club would no longer exist in senior football.

Kildare will be looking to build on a 1-1 home draw last week to Finn Harps while the home side after an excellent away win against Mervue United will be looking to bag another three points.

Many of the 100 plus travelling support present last week in Terryland considered it the best performance they had seen in recent seasons.

Athlone have no injury worries but will have to cope without Damien Rushe who serves a one match suspension for bookings picked up last season with Longford Town and Robbie Benson who is away on international duty with the Irish Senior Schools Team in Scotland.

Aaron Shanahan the former Dundalk FC goalkeeper is available for selection after agreeing terms on Monday night.

Managers Quotes

On last weeks game

“We got a decent start last week against Mervue United but it’s only one game. I have spoken to the players and told them we can predict nothing in this division and nothing will come easy”

“We need to instill a desire and willingness in the players to play well every week”

On the Kildare game

“I watched them last week against Finn Harps and they were very competitive. They liked to do things very quickly when the chance was there and we will have to be at our very best against them”

Suspensions:
Damien Rushe (1 match)

Injury Update:
None

Last Match: Mervue United 0 Athlone Town 1 (McGee 12)

Last 8 League Meetings:

1st-Division-2008
Kildare County FC 1-0 Athlone Town
Athlone Town 3-0 Kildare County FC
Kildare County FC 1-1 Athlone Town
Athlone Town 1-1 Kildare County FC

1st-Division-2007
Kildare County FC 1-2 Athlone Town
Athlone Town 4-2 Kildare County FC
Kildare County FC 2-1 Athlone Town
Athlone Town 0-2 Kildare County FC

Results This Season:
Mervue United 0 Athlone Town 1

Boylesports Betting:
Athlone Town 8/11
Draw 5/2
Kildare County 3/1