MOONEY, WILLIAMSON AND WHELAN – PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Following United’s 1-1 draw with Limerick 37 Monaghan United presented their Player of the Year awards to a full Bagster Lounge. Chairman Jim McGlone and Manager Mick Cooke made speeches commending the squad on their hard work throughout the season before the awards were presented.
It was 3 of the back 4 who collected the accolades on the night with Aaron Mooney scooping the prestigious Club Player of the Year award. Young signing Kevin Williamson was awarded for his commitment throughout the season with the Supporters Club Player of the Year award. Local lad Paul Whelan made it 2 years in a row when he won the Young Player of the Year prize. At the tender age of 20 Whelan has grown in front of the Mons supporters and has been highly deserving of his awards over the past 2 seasons.
Mick Cooke stated that he was delighted to be staying on as manager of what he deemed “a club with a mission”. He feels that United are “heading in the right direction” and he is determined to help them get there.
THANK YOU
Monaghan United have once more been overwhelmed by the support received from the community as they strive to ensure that top notch football is played in Monaghan. We would like to take this end of season opportunity to thank everyone who has helped out during 2007.
Thank you to the local football clubs who have helped out on match day, your continued support is much appreciated. Thank you to everyone else who has helped out with Stewarding, worked in the bar or shop, programme sellers, gate attendants and kitchen staff.
A big thank you must go to all the club’s many sponsors, without whom, United would not be able to fund the many strands of the club. Thank you particularly to Ground sponsors Kingspan Century, Jersey sponsors The Squealing Pig Ltd, all the match day sponsors and those who place advertisements in the match day programme.
Thank you also to Irish Nationwide for their generous sponsorship of our Under 21’s team and ESPRIT Monaghan for the munificent sponsorship that they have continued to provide for our Ladies team.
We hope that we can rely on you all again in 2008 as Monaghan United move further towards their goals.
DEEPEST SYMPATHY
Monaghan United would like to extend their sympathy to former Monaghan United player Douggie Corbett and his family on the death of their father Bobby. May he rest in peace.
UNITED LADIES COLLECT LEAGUE TITLE
At a function in the Lucan Spa Hotel last Friday night, Monaghan United’s ladies team were presented with their League Trophy and League Winners Medals at the Dublin Women’s Soccer League Presentation night. A contingent of the United players and their management donned their fancy clothing for the night and enjoyed a wonderful dinner and dance to celebrate their first League win. Congratulations to all the ladies and we hope to add more trophies to the cabinet next season.
UNDER 17’S PLAY ST KEVIN’S IN NATIONAL CUP
Monaghan United’s Under 17’s travel to Dublin this weekend to take on one of Ireland’s top schoolboy clubs, St Kevin’s Boys in the National Cup. St Kevin’s have had many famous players through their doors with Damien Duff, Ian Harte, Stephen Carr and Liam Brady among some of their most famous ex-players. The future stars of the game will be on show against United in the second round of the cup on Sunday. Good luck to John Heffernan and his squad.
UNDER 18’S KICK OFF THEIR SEASON
Monaghan United’s Under 18’s face Shamrocks in the first game of the new Under 18’s season in the Dundalk and District Schoolboys League. John Heffernan takes his charges to Oriel Park on Sunday for the 6pm kick off.
McCAREY HEADS TO VILLA
Monaghan United goalkeeper Aaron McCarey has been invited to take part in training with English Premiership side Aston Villa in the last week of November. Monaghan United are delighted but not at all surprised by Villa’s interest in McCarey as he has been the subject of enquiry by a number of cross channel clubs.
Aaron was recently called up to the Republic of Ireland Under 16’s and kept a clean sheet in his first game against Northern Ireland.
Brian Finnegan, Aaron’s Under 15’s manager said “I would like to take this opportunity to wish Aaron McCarey all the best as he heads to Aston Villa. It is no more than Aaron deserves as he is back to his very best and I know he will do well.”
MONAGHAN UNITED U-13S ADVANCE IN THE NATIONAL CUP
Monaghan United’s Under 13s met a gallant Balbriggan side in the second round of the National Cup, which was played at Belgium Park at 12.30pm on Saturday. This was a tough game from start to finish. The entire panel performed well as a team. Ryan Shields was solid in goals. The back line of Shane Owens, Brian Harraghy, Conor Lavelle and Kevin Murray worked bravely to keep the Balbriggan attack at bay. Michael Galligan, Conor Forde, Paul Byrne and David Mc Bride worked hard in the middle of the field and Benin Devlin and Shane Power were impressive up front.
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Monaghan took control at the early stages of the game and got a well-deserved goal after five minutes, which was scored by David Mc Bride. The Monaghan side continued their attacks on the Balbriggan goals but were denied by the posts and the upright. The Monaghan lads took their eye of the ball for a spell and were punished with a goal from Balbriggan. However they continued their attack and got another goal from the boot of Benin Devlin to put them 2 – 1 ahead.
The game was end-to-end stuff and both teams set up good attacks from defence. A well-taken goal by Michael Galligan left the score 3 – 1. Monaghan hit an unfortunate patch when they had a goal disallowed and five minutes later had a penalty awarded against them for a foul, on the edge of the box. Balbriggan scored to leave the score 3 – 2 at half time.
The second half started at a blistering pace and Balbriggan found themselves level after five minutes. Monaghan then introduced Myles Dwyer and Fergal Mc Mahon. The change steadied the midfield area and Monaghan took control of the game again and their continued pressure resulted in two goals by Benin Devlin and Michael Galligan. Evan Doherty and Ciaran Neeson were brought on. Evan made an instant impact with a cracking goal just minutes after coming on. This left the score 6 – 3. In the last minute Shane Power had a brilliant header into the top right corner of the net to leave a final score of 7 – 3 to the Monaghan United boys.
This game was not as one sided as the score line suggests. Balbriggan came to Monaghan determined to win. The score was 3-3 for a long period of the second half and it was only in the last fifteen minutes of the game that Monaghan pulled away. The games from now on in the Cup will be tougher and more solid team performances are required if we are to progress. Full panel required for training.
Man of the Match: Michael Galligan
Panel: R Shields, C. Lynch, S. Owens, B. Harraghy, C. Lavelle, K. Murray, M. Galligan, C. Forde, P. Byrne. D. Mc Bride, E. Doherty, F. Mc Mahon, A. Croarkin, C. Neeson, M. Dwyer, S. Power and B. Devlin.
Managers: N. Harraghy and J. Murray.
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B]MONAGHAN UNITED UNDER 14’S[/B]
Monaghan Celtic U-14 got their second win in a row with a 2-0 victory over a very stubborn and organised Rangers Team in CHP on Sunday last.
Celtic could not break down the rangers defence in the first half due to some very fine saves by the rangers keeper.
In the second half Celtic upped the tempo and got the goal they deserved when Mark Caufield slotted home the ball into the rangers net.
Conor Blacklock got Monaghans second goal and they could have had a few more but yet again the rangers keeper kept the score to 2-0.
Well done to the players as they have worked really hard in training and it shows on the pitch on the day as they are now playing very good football.
Team: S Rooney, K Mooney, S Mc Quaid, J Mc Philips, D Mullen, C Boylan, C Blacklock, M Mc Crarron, S Mc Gonnell, S Gaffney, N Skinnidar,
Subs Used: D Mc Partland, S Keelihan, M Caufield, R Sweeney, S Keenan.
Managers: Paul Rooney and Declan o Sullivan
MONAGHAN UNITED UNDER 15’S BEAT DROGHEDA TEAM
Monaghan United Under15’s got back to their scoring ways last weekend, when they beat Drogehda Town 8-1. This was a big change from the weekend previously when they only went through on penalties against Glebe North from Dublin. They missed a serious amount of goal opportunities against Glebe North, but they made sure the same thing didn’t happen against Drogheda.
Within minutes of the start Jack McCarron opened the scoring after some great link up play between Brian McQuaid and Philip Donnolly. Brian himself made it two shortly after with a great 1-2 with Philip Donnolly but just when everything was going all right for Monaghan they conceded a silly goal from a free kick.
Monaghan added two more before half time when Sean Quigley laid the ball wide for Damian Smith and Damian finished in style. Jack headed the ball just before the break to make it 4-1 at half time.
The second half continued just like the first with Monaghan totally dominating and it wasn’t long before Jack McCarron got his hat-trick with a lovely half-volley. Brian McQuaid added his second shortly after when Sean Quigley found Philip Donnolly on the right.
He swung over a wonderful cross for Brian to finish. Brian is in the best form ever at the moment. Damian Smith added his second after some great link up play with his twin brother Dermot. New boy James King made it 8 when he pushed up for a free kick by Cillian Coleman. James first effort was blocked, but he made sure with his second.
Well done lads.
Team: Aaron McCarey, Conor Campbell, Cillian Coleman, James King, Darren Coleman, Shane Kelly, Jack McCarron, Sean Quigley, Damien Smith, Brian McQuaid, Philip Donnelly, Ronan Lanigan, Dermot Smith, Anthony Brady, Daniel McKenna.
Manager: Brian Finnegan
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