MONS SEASON TICKETS – THE PERFECT STOCKING FILLER
For the football mad fan in your house, Mongahan United have the perfect gift for Christmas!

Monaghan United are offering you the chance to buy a season ticket for the footie fans in your family at amazing rates. A Season Ticket for one adult costs €130 and allows you to bring two children Under 16 to all league games for free. Family tickets allowing 2 adults and 2 children attend all FAI eircom League of Ireland games are also available at the bargain rate of €200. What better way is there for a family to spend a Friday evening than watching their local team play.

As if that wasn’t enough, every Season Ticket holder can now obtain a 10% discount on all club merchandise.

Buy the football fan in your life a Season Ticket and give them the Christmas present that keeps on giving – right to the end of the season.

For further information contact Monaghan United on 047 87498 or email pro@monaghanunited.ie

DRAW DATE CLOSES IN
The chance to support Monaghan United FC as they strive to bring football to the community by buying a ticket for the Annual Monaghan United FC Supporters Club Draw is coming to an end. The draw, with a first prize of €10,000, takes place on the 14th December at the Ladies and Under 21’s Prizegiving at Kingspan Century Park.

If you wish to support the club, tickets are still available through Monaghan United Committee members or from the Club office (047 84798)

MINI LEAGUES GO TO OMAGH
The Monaghan Credit Union Mini Leagues headed off to Omagh last Thursday night for a friendly competition against their northern counterparts. This was a very successful outing for United’s stars of the future.

Monaghan United’s Mini Leagues finished up last Sunday until February. Parents are advised to keep an eye on the local press and www.monaghanunited.ie for further details.

Thank you again to John Heffernan and his team of coaches who helped make the Mini Leagues such a success.

MONS UNDER 14’S GET DOUBLE RESULTS IN NATIONAL COMPETITIONS
Monaghan United’s Under 14’s progressed in two National Cup competitions as reported in last weeks notes. United ran out 3-1 winners over Swords Rovers FC at Kingspan Century Park on Friday 23rd November. An early goal by James McAllister was nullified whenever Swords drew level on minute later. Two super strikes by substitute James Clarke in the second half saw Monaghan coast to a comfortable 3-1 victory in the Lions Cup.

United then travelled to Clontarf on the Sunday of that week and had to work hard to earn a 1-0 victory over the Northsiders in their National cup fixtures. Monaghan started brightly and squandered two early chances before Thomas Doody collected a kick out on the left, dribble past two and defenders and set Colin Clerkin up for his 11th goal of the season. Clontarf rallied and pressurised Monaghan for the remainder of the first half.

Monaghan dominated the early exchanges in the second half and were unlucky not to score again. United had to withstand a barrage of Clontarf pressure for the remainder of the half and it was only two excellent saves by Andy Fallon and great defensive work that allowed them to hold on for their 1-0 victory.

TEAMS: Andy Fallon, Niall Greenan, Darren McMahon, Cian Byrne, Niall Askin, Conor Moynagh, Thomas Doody, Paul McConkey, Shane Larkin, James Clarke, Colin Clerkin, Seadh Deeney, Shane Hannon, Karl McQuaid, Gavin Farrelly, Colm Flynn, Elliot Maguire, Donal Courtney, James McAllister.

MANAGERS: Seamus Deeney and Kevin Maguire

NATIONAL CUP 3RD ROUND
Monaghan United Under 15’s, as reported last week, beat Carrick Rovers 3-1 in the National Cup 3rd Round. This was a local derby and both teams were really looking forward to it, but because of the sticky conditions and the fact of a game being played just before hand, the game never materialised into a classic.

Monaghan started off the brighter and could have been one up within a few minutes but Brian McQuaid’s effort went just wide. Philip Donnolly also came very close just before Monaghan did finally get the break they deserved. Twin brothers Dermot and Damian Smith linked up very well down the left hand side with Damian laying the ball back to Dermot who overlapped very well and crossed over a wonderful ball for Jack McCarron to finish at the near post. Monaghan tried hard to improve on their lead but their finishing touch seemed to have failed them. For all the possession they had in the first half it was disappointing to go in at half time only 1-0 up.

Monaghan seemed to up their game in the second half and should have had the game well and truly wrapped up when Brian McQuaid came close, so Dean Nugent and Sean Quigley also came close, but just when we thought we would never get the second, Jack McCarron slipped a superb ball into Brian McQuaid. Brian clipped over an inch perfect pass to the incoming Philip Donnolly and Donnolly made no mistake from 5 yards.

This should have wrapped up the game for Monaghan but somewhere out of the blue, against a defence who were solid throughout the game, Cooney, from Carrickmacross, lobbed Aaron McCarey from about 35 yards. Monaghan were shocked as Carrick had very few chances through the game and the Monaghan defence, led by an in form Cillian Coleman, and helped by new boy James King, Conor Campbell and man of the match Dermot Smith, were left stunned.

From this moment on, Monaghan took complete control and came close from Jack McCarron. Brian McQuaid should have sealed the game but could not get onto the great cross from Damien Smith. Monaghan brought on Daniel McKenna for Dean Nugent and Daniel made an impact straight away with some wonderful crosses, causing the Carrick defence all sorts of problems.

Monaghan finally got their just rewards, when James King made a run out of defence and found Daniel McKenna on the right. Daniel fired over a superb cross and that man Philip Donnolly once again popped up at the near post to fire home. This just about wrapped up the game for Monaghan but if we are to progress into the last 16 in Ireland in January, we will have to improve a lot. Once again well lads and thanks to Carrick who worked hard and did not make it easy for us.

TEAM: Aaron McCarey, Conor Campbell, James King, Cillian Coleman, Dean Nugent, Jack McCarron (c) Sean Quigley, Dermot Smith, Damien Smith, Philip Donnolly, Brian McQuaid, Daniel McKenna, Ronan Lonigan, Shane Kelly, Peter McFadden, Anthony Brady.

MANAGERS: Brian Finnegan, Bernard Coleman.

JUVENILE GAMES POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER – SOME FIXTURES GO AHEAD
Monaghan United’s Under 12’s, 13s and Under 14’s were victims of the inclement weather when their fixtures were unable to go ahead over the weekend in the Dundalk Schoolboy league.

United’s Under 15’s were away to St Dominics and came back as 4-0 victors while the Under 16’s drew 0-0 against St. Dominics, also away. The Under 18’s weren’t so lucky and lost away from home to Glenmuir United 4-3.

No match reports received.