Airtricity League 1^st Division.

Airtricity League 1st Division.

Match Preview

Monaghan United  vs   Limerick

Monaghan United saw their very good unbeaten start of the season come to an end last weekend on their first visit to Fahy’s Field against Mervue United.  Next Friday sees them play their penultimate game of the first series of League matches against Limerick at Gortakeegan.

Only three points separate the sides in the table leaving Monaghan United just one position ahead of Limerick. Going into this game limerick at home had a 3-0 win over Athlone at the weekend. A 9^th minute goal from Jeffrey Judge got Limerick off the mark and two minutes after the restart of the second half Brian Mc. Carthy made it 2 -0 and the insurance goal was scored by Shane Tracy in 82^nd. It was a game that Limerick was always comfortable in.

Monaghan United’s record against Limerick has been good in recent seasons. Last season the encounters between them were very tight, in the opening game of the League against Limerick at Gortakeegan a 9^th minute Philly Hughes goal got United off the mark and that was added to an hour later by Cathal O’ Connor. Limerick finished strong and got a goal back from substitute Hickey. In the return game at Jackman Park, United never featured in the first half and found themselves a goal down at the interval, it was a different story in the second half where United were in control, were back on term 16 minutes in and should have collected all points on the second half performance. The final game of the League was a tough encounter at Gortakeegan,a lot was at stake with United within touching distance of promotion and Limerick e! ndeavouring to avoid relegation, it ended scoreless.  In the EA Sports Cup at Jackman Park, United had a comprehensive 3-0 win.

Roddy Collins will hope that his side can bounce back quickly from the Mervue defeat. Collins will have to start without the suspended Declan (Fabio) O Brien and Paul Whelan. There are a number of contenders for Whelan’s position but Fabio’s ability up front will be sorely missed, he has scored in every game he has played in for United. Alan Byrne, defender/ cum mid field has been absent through injury for the past number of games, however he was on the bench on Friday, his return would be welcome. Otherwise Collins should have a strong panel to select from.

Easter weekend saw an excellent turn out of home supporters for both games, hopefully a good home crowd will be out again for what promises to be a very good game.

There are only a few points separating the top four teams and win in the next two games could see Monaghan United in top place entering the second series of games.

Kick off at Gortakeegan 8.p.m.

Mervue United  3  1  Monaghan United.

It looks like Mervue United has the Indian Sign over Monaghan United as for the third season in a row they have upset Monaghan with a win against the odds.  Monaghan had the dubious distinction of being the first side defeated by Mervue United two  seasons ago when the Galway side first entered the league and now they give them their first win at Fahy’s Field.

Mervue came out firing on all cylinders, in the opening three minutes they created two good goal chances, first up Mark Ludden had a powerful strike just over and next up Mike Tierney got on the end of a good cross from Rory Gaffney.  Then on five minutes a Monaghan move was broken up and the home side swept down the wing, Rory Gaffey picked out Mark Ludden who crossed into the centre to Jason Molloy whose low angled shot beat keeper Gabriel Sava.  Six minutes later Tom King should have doubled the score having won the ball just inside the Monaghan half he charged down on goal but the defenders got back to him and under pressure he dragged his shot past the upright.  Unlike last season when Mervue to! ok the lead and were content to sit back and defend the goal lead this time they were more prepared to go forward, this allowed Monaghan to get into the game and they started to play the good type of attacking football and on 18 minutes they were back on level terms. A good long clearance out from keeper Sava   into Mervue’s half, Eric Browne tried to clear it but headed into the path of Declan O’ Brien and he spotted the  Mervue keeper advance off his line and a deft lob took the ball over the keeper and the sides were level. There followed the best period for Monaghan United but unfortunately they were back behind on 27 minutes. Mervue were initially awarded a thrown in and Monaghans defence failed to clear. Rory Gaffney got past Shane Grimes before sending a good cross to the far post to Mark Ludden, who although off balance managed to get a foot to it  and knock it into the path of Eric Browne in the six yard box to give him a simple tap in. For the remainder of the half both defence dominated.  The two better chances fell to Mervue and it took excellent saves from Gabriel Sava to keep the margin at one goal. Monaghan’s only strike fell to Shane Grimes.

Monaghan looked bright on the restart for the second half and they looked determined to get back on terms, but Mervue were creating some good counter attacks and Gaffney and King had an excellent effort each only to be denied by Sava.  Ten minutes in and the home side extended the lead to two. Rory Gaffney played the ball forward to Jason Molloy in front of the Monaghan area, Molloy did well to hold off both Conor Mc. Mahon and Paul Whelan  before striking the ball past Sava for his second of the night. On 63 minutes Molloy turned villain when he hacked down Paul Whelan for what was a very dangerous foul, unfortunately Whelan reacted by pushing Molloy over, the ref showed Whelan red and Molloy escaped with a yellow, ironically three minutes la! ter Molloy would have completed at hat trick were it not for another excellent save from Sava.  Monaghan were now playing their best football of the game but what ever chance they had of getting anything from the game was completely scuppered on 77 minutes when Declan Fabio O’ Brien picked up a second yellow card for what being an adjudged high tackle even though he won the ball without connecting with the defender.  With Monaghan down to nine the game as a contest ended.  Apart from one effort from Dom Tierney all of the other efforts fell to Mervue and again it was a string of super saves that kept Monaghan from going down  by at least  5-1.

This was a game that Monaghan United will quickly want to forget, there is no doubt but Mervue have made a big improvement, they were the better team on the night and will take many more points especially at home. Monaghan’s unbeaten run of the season ended in Fahy’s Field, hopefully it’s a blip and they can quickly get back to winning ways.

Mervue Utd : Ger Hanley, Nicky Curran, Dan Cunningham, Martin Conneely, Eric Browne, Noel Varley, Tom King, Mark Ludden, Mike Tierney (Alex Lee ‘83), Rory Gaffney, Jason Molloy (David O’Brien ’71). Subs not used: James Casserely, Kevin Crehan, Dave Goldbey, Mike Elwood, TJ Forde.

Booked: Eric Browne ‘14, Jason Molloy ‘63

Monaghan Utd : Gabrial Sava, Paul Whelan, Shane Grimes (Jason Marks ’54), Dave Rogers, Aidan Collins, Conor McMahon, John Reilly (Michael Isichei ’73), Eric Foley, Ryan Brennan, Declan O’Brien and Sean Brennan (Don Tierney ’63).

Subs not used: Philip Byrne, Alan Byrne, Andy Haran, Jake Rossiter

Booked : Sean Brennan ’14

Sent Off : Paul Whelan ’63, Declan O’Brien ‘77

Attendance: 227

Referee: Stuart Templeman

Anne Devine – RIP

Everyone connected with Monaghan United were saddened on hearing of the sudden death of Anne Devine, Dublin St. last week. Since the clubs formation Anne has had many strong ties to Monaghan United, apart from being a staunch supporter Anne served in many roles for the club, principally as a Board of Management member, Club Secretary and Lotto Promoter.  Anne was also a big fan of Manchester United.

As mark of respect to Anne our weekly meeting on Tuesday was adjourned, on Good Friday prior to the kick off between Monaghan United and Wexford Youths a minutes silence was observed at Gortakeegan in memory of Anne and earlier on that day club members took part in the Guard of Honour at her funeral.

To Anne’s husband Cyril, son Malachy, daughter Michéle, her grandchildren and the extended Devine and Skeath families we extended our sincere sympathy.

May Anne rest in peace.