1st. Division
Match preview

Monaghan United V Finn Harps
After another fine performance against promotion contenders Sporting Fingal it should be a confident Monaghan United side that will entertain Finn Harps at Kingspan Century Park this Tuesday evening 6th. October.


Mick Cooke will have what he must regard as a luxury having a near full squad to select from. He will need all hands on deck because encounters in these Ulster Derbies are usually close. In the previous game of the season United had their first ever victory in Finn Park, they played very well on the night and would hope to continue in the same vein on Tuesday night.


Harps had a poor start to the season but recently made a good recovery putting together a good run of results.


Although promotion for United is no longer attainable they are keen to get into the top half of the table and are only one place removed at the moment from achieving same. On recent form this should be a home win for United.


There was a very good turn out of supporters at Fridays game, there should be a good following again for Tuesdays fixture as games between the two sides always draw a good interest here.
Kick off at Kingspan Century Park on Tuesday is at 8.p.m.



Canadian Ambassador visits Monaghan United FC

Monaghan United FC had the honour of Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Mr Pat Binns, visiting the club and looking at the footballing facilities available to the local community on Monday. Mr Binns was on a tour of Monaghan with his new Trade Commissioner Mrs Susanne Schmidt-Knobloch and they were accompanied by Mr Willie McKenna and Mr Tony Murphy.

The Canadian representatives were very impressed with the facilities at Monaghan United and Mr Binns stated that these were possibly the best facilities he had seen in Ireland and in Canada. Mr Binns was eager to explore the possiblitiy of a twinning of football clubs with some clubs in Canada with the view to possible exchange visits and was also interested in exploring the possiblity of trade links in relation to provision of rubber pellets for the Astro pitch.

Monaghan United were delighted to host the visit and hope that Mr Binns and Mrs Schmidt-Knobloch enjoyed their time at Kingspan Century Park.


COUNTY MONAGHAN TEAM GOLF CHALLENGE 2009

SPONSORED BY THE HILLGROVE HOTEL, MONAGHAN.
A very successful County Monaghan Team Golf Challenge 2009, sponsored by the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan and promoted by Monaghan United Football Club took place at Rossmore Golf Club on Saturday 3rd. October, 2009. The 4 person Team Event attracted a large entry.



While the day was windy, it was mainly dry and all teams who competed enjoyed the experience. There was some good scoring in the conditions and the winning teams were as follows:-



First place Barry Healy's Team, comprising of Terry Connolly, Darren Connolly, Martin McCabe and Mark Keogh emerged winners with 105 points. They win 4 Premium Tickets for Republic of Ireland v Italy at Croke Park on Saturday 10th. October.

Runners-up were Eddie Whelan's Team with 103 points. Tadhg Foley, Hugh Coll and Matt Waters were with Eddie. They win 4 Premium Tickets for Republic of Ireland v Montenegro at Croke Park on Wednesday 14th. October.



Third place was Kevin Maguire with Peadar Mullen, Vincent McCooey and Macartan McKenna with 101 points. They win a set of Nike Polo Shirts.



Nearest the pin at the 16th. was won by Kevin Maguire who was only 3ft. 6ins from the hole. and the longest drive at the 3rd. was won by Shane Douglas. Both of these prizes were donated by Upstairs Downstairs.



At the presentation function in the Clubhouse afterwards, Rossmore Club Captain Willie Cullen welcomed Monaghan United to Rossmore and complimented the Club on its organisation of the event. He spoke of the progress of Monaghan United in the development of its facilities and its progress on the football pitch. He congratulated all winners.



Martin Monahan, General Manager of the Hillgrove Hotel, who made the presentation to the winning Teams on behalf of the Hillgrove Hotel, congratulated Monaghan United football Club on the organisation of a very successful event and complimented John Heffernan and Eamonn White on the organising committee. He stated that the Hillgrove Hotel was associated with the sponsorship of this event for the past three years and were delighted to be part of the event and to support the work of Monaghan United. Martin referred to the success of Monaghan United in continuing to develop facilities to a very high standard at Kingspan Century Park.



He referred also to the success of the Club at Senior level this Season and the very successful underage structure at the Club. He gave as example the success of two of its players, Mark Connolly and Aaron McCarey who have made it to Premiership Clubs in England. He wished the Club well in the future. Martin congratulated all winners and all who took part in the event.



Monaghan United Club Chairman, Jim McGlone, thanked Rossmore Golf Club for facilitating the event and complimented Rossmore on its very fine facilities. Jim thanked the main sponsors of the 2009 County Monaghan Team Golf Challenge, Colm and Audri Heron and the Hillgrove Hotel. He thanked Martin Monahan for his comments and being present to make the presentations to the winners. Chairman Jim also thanked all teams who entered the event and its was that that made the event the success it was.



He said that Monaghan United hoped to continue with the Challenge in 2010. Mr. McGlone paid a special thanks also to the Tee and Associate sponsors for the event. He thanked John Heffernan and Eamonn White for the organization of the day. Finally he complimented Rossmore Golf Club and Captain Willie Cullen on the continued work at Rossmore Golf Club in the development of their course and facilities and wished a successful conclusion to the works.