Airtricity League 1^st Division.

Shelbourne v Monaghan United

Tolka Park is the next venue for Monaghan United in 1^st. Division of the Airtricity league on Friday evening next when they take on leaders Shelbourne.  This will be a big game for United, both sides go into it undefeated, Shelbourne are just two points ahead of United.

In games in recent seasons there has been very little between Shelbourne and Monaghan United and Tolka Park is a ground that most visiting teams find it hard to get a result in but it hasn’t unduly phased the United teams recently. In the corresponding game last season Monaghan came away with a one all draw when they should have taken all three points only to yield to a late equaliser, United had been reduced to 10 men for what had seemed a harsh sending off, it was there best of their three outings against the North Dublin side, however they gained revenge in the EA Sports Cup when United advanced against them.

Shelbourne come into this game after a comprehensive 4-0 win away to Athlone Town.  Conan Byrne scored a brace of goals either side of half time which was added to by one each from Chris Mulhall and from United’s top ace man of last season Philly Hughes. In truth the Shels are a Premier Division side and since their forced drop down a few seasons ago they have come close each season since to going back up.  It looks like this is the one that they are going to achieve it.  They have put together probably the strongest squads In the first Division

Monaghan United in the last outing  had a 1-0 win over Longford Town, although it was a game that they controlled  they were fortunate in the end not to have conceded from a late Keith Gillespie free kick.

Roddy Collins will love returning to one of his stomping grounds and his demeanour going into the game tells you this is the game that he is waiting for.  His hand is very much strengthened as he has the strongest panel available to him since he arrived at Gortakeegan, players such as Alan Byrne, Dom Tierney and the Brennan brothers are all fully fit and available.  Declan ‘Fabio’ O’ Brien has announced his arrival by scoring in each of the two games he has started. After playing five games the panel are starting to gel well.

Philly Hughes United’s leading scorer from last season should start for Shels, last week they played him alone up front a role he did well for United in.  It should be an interesting clash between himself and Dave Rogers.

A victory for United would put them ahead of Shels in first place it is a good target to aim for but indeed a share of the points would be an excellent result. 

United will be hoping for a good turn out of their Dublin based supporters at Tolka Park for kick off at 8.p.m.

Easter Weekend double header.

Monaghan United supporters have a feast of football to look forward to at Gortakeegan at Easter weekend.  First up on Good Friday in the 1^st. Division of the Airtricity League are Wexford Youths kick off @ 8.p.m. followed on Easter Monday by the much eagerly awaited clash with Dundalk in the 2^nd. Round of the EA Sports Cup kick off at the earlier time of @ 3.p.m.

The Wexford game is being sponsored by Barry Healy,Solicitors, Monaghan. and the Dundalk game is sponsored by the Squealing Pig Bar and Restaurant, the Diamond, Monaghan.

Further details of the games in next weeks notes.

Monaghan United Ladies

Monaghan United ladies have a pre-season friendly this Friday night against Mid- Ulster Ladies at Gortakeegan Astro, kick off  @ 8.p.m.

Players to meet at clubhouse @7.p.m.

Breffni KillMurray – RI.P.

Condolences to our programme producer Ronan Kilmurray, his mother, brothers and extended family on the death of Ronan’s father Breffni Kilmurray, Drogheda last week. A minutes silence was observed prior to last week’s game between Monaghan United and Longford Town at Gortakeegan in Breffni’s memory. May he rest in peace.