START OF SEASON JUST AROUND THE CORNER
As we move into March the FAI eircom league of Ireland season is preparing to kick off. Monaghan United play their first game of the 2008 season against Limerick 37 at Kingspan Century Park on Friday the 7th March with an 8pm kick off.
Manager Mick Cooke is looking forward to getting the season started and is happy with the pre-season training. “The squad have worked really hard and have had some good results in the pre-season games” he stated. “We are all eager to get off to a flying start and hope that we can get some early points in the bag against Limerick” he continued.
This might just be the season United make good on the hard work that has been put in over the past few years and move up into the Premier Division. Off the pitch the work has been done and United have achieved a UEFA “A” licence which qualifies them to play in the Premier Division should they gain promotion. It is now all up to the team on the pitch.
Come along and support your FAI eircom League of Ireland team.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY AT BELFIELD BOWL
Monaghan United finish up their pre-season warm ups with a game against Premier Division side UCD at the Belfield Bowl on Friday February 29th with a 7.45 kick off.
MONS BEAT HARPS BUT LOSE TO SLIGO IN FUTSAL
Monaghan United’s Futsal team recorded their 1st win in the Futsal League with a very good 2-1 win over a very good Finn Harps side who included last year’s eircom League top scorer Conor Gethins. The Monaghan lads went 1-0 up with a well taken goal from Gerard McCrudden who drove his shot into the back of the Harp’s net in the 7th minute. Monaghan had all the play in the first half and were by far the better team, only to concede a very poor goal when Harps got the luck from a breaking ball.
In the second half United had all the possession and Ivo Queiros, only on the court 10 seconds, got on to the end of a mark Mulligan cross and he hammered the ball into the Harp’s net giving United a 2-1 lead which they held onto until the final whistle.
Ronan McGann was outstanding in the Monaghan goal all day and the two Sliabh Beagh lads, Ivo Queiros and Ryan Boyle were also very good in all their play. United lads Niall Flynn and Charley McDonald, both Under 17 players, were fantastic and very strong and skilful.
Aurimas Meidus, having played this game for years at home in Lithuania, showed his experience during the game particularly with his passing and movement off the ball.
The Glaslough Villa lads, Jim Murphy, Mark Mulligan and Gerard McCrudden were flawless during the Harp’s game. Murphy was solid at the back and McCrudden never stopped running all the time. Mulligan did not look out of place playing against League of Ireland players and was by far the man of the match. Well done Lads.
United’s 2nd game of the day was a real thriller against a Sligo Rovers team who had full time professionals such as Keith Foy and Gavin Peers, as well as Irish Under 21 International Seamus Coleman on their team. Rovers got off to a great start with two goals and it looked like United were in for a lesson in football from the professionals.
Jim Murphy was not about to give in though and rallied his team and within 5 minutes, United were level with goals from Gerard McCrudden and a Jim Murphy spot kick. Sligo took the lead 3 minutes later from the spot and the United lad’s heads started to drop.
By half time United found themselves 5-2 down and could not cope with the speed and the skill from the U21 Irish international Coleman. He was unstoppable and was the main difference between the two sides.
Monaghan re-grouped at half time and the never say die spirit of this team shocked Sligo. United pulled it back to 5-4 with 2 goals from Charley McDonald only for Sligo to go 6-4 up with very slack goal.
Mark Mulligan pulled another one back for United and Sligo were all over the court with Monaghan hitting the post and side netting on several occasions. At 6-5 United had Sligo on the back foot only for Coleman to break Monaghan’s hearts again with a fine individual goal.
Aurimas Meidus scored a thumper of a goal with 5 minutes to go and United were back on track at 7-6. The Monaghan lads gave their all in the last few minutes but Coleman popped up again to wrap it up for Sligo at 8-6.
This Monaghan Futsal team really got respect from the full time professional players on the day because after all, we had two Under 17 players, one senior player in Ronan McGann, while the rest of the team are playing Junior football with Glaslough Villa and Sliabh Beagh.
The Monaghan lads had an extra surprise on the day when former Irish International Goalie Packie Bonner, who was in attendance, stood in for a photograph with the Monaghan Lads. Yet again the lads performed really well on the day and we would like to thank Glaslough Villa and Sliabh Beagh again for providing their players for this competition.
TEAM: Ronan McGann (Mon Utd), Jim Murphy (Glaslough Villa), Gerard McCrudden (Glaslough Villa), Mark Mulligan (Glaslough Villa), Niall Flynn (Mon Utd), Ryan Boyle (Sliabh Beagh), Charley McDonald (Mon Utd), Ivo Queiros (Sliabh Beagh), Aurimas Meidus (Mon Utd)
MANAGER: Paul Rooney
MINI LEAGUES START THIS SUNDAY
The ever popular Monaghan Credit Union Mini Leagues start up again after the winter break this Sunday with registration at 10am for the 5-8 year olds and 11am for the 9-11 year olds. Registration is €30 for the season running from March to June.
All children aged between 5-11 are welcome. Please bring runners (no football boots) and shinguards.
JUVENILE ROUND UP
UNDER 12’S
Monaghan United’s under 12’s completed the first round of matches in the Dundalk Schoolboys League without dropping a single point, a great achievement in this competitive league. In the past week they had a 0-4 win away to Glenmuire under lights and 3-0 win at home to Bellurgan, the latter needed a win to go joint top with the Mons.
These were two tight matches with all but one of the goals coming in the last 10 minuets of each game. These league games were the ideal preparation for the Under 12’s National Cup game against Shelbourne in Belgium Park next Sunday at 11.00.
The visitors on Sunday play in the top schoolboy league in the country, but they are not doing as well this season as would be expected. The United team are used to winning and have conceded only 3 or 4 goals this season, so on Sunday their solid back four, keeper and midfield will be the key if they are to have success.
On the other hand Shelbourne will be bigger and stronger, but if the astute management at United continue to use 16 players in every game, thus enabling the substituted players to up the work rate while they are on the pitch, United may have the advantage.
All at United would like to wish John, Mick and team the best of luck on Sunday, so put on the top coat and get up there and give them a shout.
Monaghan United’s Under 13’s were beaten 5-2 by Seatown in the Premier Division while the Under 15’s were beaten by Lagan Harps in the Evans National Cup.
Last Sunday the Under 14’s Premier Division side beat Walshestown 2-1 while the First Division side were given the weekend off when their game against Muirhevnamor was postponed.
The Under 16’s beat Redeemer 2-0 in their game on Sunday.
This week’s fixtures are:
Saturday 1st March
Under 15’s Monaghan United – v – Quay Celtic
Monaghan 2pm KO
Sunday 2nd March
Under 12’s National Cup Monaghan United – v – Shelbourne
Monaghan 12.30 KO
Under 14 Premier Monaghan United – v – Clones Town
TBA
Under 14 First Div Rock Celtic – v – Monaghan Celtic
Blackrock 12.30 KO
Under 16 Monaghan United – v – Muirhevnamor
Monaghan 2pm KO
The highly successful Monaghan United Ladies team start their 3rd season in existence with training this Saturday (1st March) at Kingspan Century Park at 5pm. Bring football boots and runners. Newcomers welcome, no experience necessary. Contact Padraig Cassidy for further information on 087 6333503 or at Monaghan United's office 047 84798.
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