Airtricity League 1^st Division.

Match Preview

Waterford United  vs  Monaghan United

The second of three series of games in the 1^st. Division commences this weekend, however Monaghan United are free due to the bye system this season and wont play until  the following Thursday 26^th May. Their opponents are Waterford United at RSC , until last season this was very much a-no-go area for Monaghan,

Monaghan opened their season with a 2-0 home win against  Waterford United at Gortakeegan, that score lines would be somewhat misleading in leaving one to believe that Monaghan had a comfortable evening whereas in fact Waterford were in the game right up until 88th minute when they conceded the second goal. It was a tension filled night for the Mons, their new manager Roddy Collins was making his first visit in that role after Mick Cooke’s sudden departure the previous week. Aidan Lynch the coach took charge of the team and in the circumstances United had a very successful evening with a good launch to the season.  At the moment they lie in second position in the table on 21 points with Waterford back in 7^th on 13 points.!   To say that Roddy Collins has done well in the opening ten games would an understatement.

Monaghan go into this game after an impressive display away to Athlone Town winning 3-0, that score line more than flattered Athlone. Waterford on the other hand were on the wrong end of a 1-0 result away to Limerick, they had enough chances to take a share of the spoils but poor defending from set pieces and also having a Willie John Kiely goal disallowed for fouling cost them in the end.

Roddy Collins will hope that his side can replicate the form produced against Athlone. One huge motivating factor for United in the last few game has been the travelling support, will Waterford be too long a trip?. It should be a tough close encounter and a share of the points would be a good result for Monaghan United.

Kick off at RSC is 7.45.p.m.

Monaghan United  vs  Finn Harps

Monaghan United’s next home game will be  against Finn Harps on Monday May 30, kick off at Gortakeegan 8.p.m. Please note that this is not a Friday game. Match Preview in next weeks Standard.

Athlone Town   0  -  3  Monaghan

Monaghan United put their under par performances of the previous two games well behind them when they dominated this game from start to finish.  Athlone particularly in the first 45 minutes found it difficult to get out of their half. Straight from the kick off United dictated the pace and should have been a goal up as early as the 8^th minute when Athlone’s keeper Michael Schlingerman fluffed his clearance from a back pass, the ball fell to Declan ‘Fabio’ O’ Brien, but the keeper recovered to save O’ Brien’s attempted lob.  With United back four of Collins, Grimes Alan and Philip Byrne parked across the half way line and a very crowded Athlone half in front of them it left it difficult for United to construct the decent football that they would later de! monstrate in the second half.  We did not see Athlone break forward until the 16^th minute when United had to soak up about two minutes of pressure,  it looked like the home side were about to get into the game but that thought was a bit presumptuous  as any hope they had  of doing so was badly dented when the visitors immediately broke up field. In this move Sean Brennan did most of the approach work, picking the ball up on halfway he advanced along the touchline to the end line, he then fired the ball wide of the far post where John Reilly cushioned the ball back with his head to Ryan Brennan and from the middle of the area he stroked the ball past the keeper.  Immediately from the restart Athlone had there second and best move of the half, their ! captain and former United man-Kevin Williamson forced Philip Byrne to head behind for a corner. That was as good as it got for the home team. Schlingermann brought off a fine save when he got down to save from Sean Brennan’s 30 yards free at the foot of the post and shortly afterwards the keeper was alert again to save Ryan Brennan’s cheeky back heel attempt. On thirty minutes Athlone’s No 9 Ronan Stack had to leave the field when he was injured following a clash of heads. Despite all of United’s pressure, Athlone didn’t concede a second goal and though outclassed they were still in it being only one down at the interval, something that would have caused some concern for United’s manager Roddy Collins.

After the interval United resumed where they had left  off and should have doubled their lead as early as the 3^rd minute when Ryan Brennan turned provider for his brother Sean with a short cross into the middle of the area, Sean had only the keeper to beat, but for the only time in a game where Sean was a contender for man of the match his effort to lob the keeper lacked conviction. But we wouldn’t have long to wait, in 51^st minute a combination of strong pressure from Monaghan and poor defending from Athlone saw the ball come to Fabio and the master of the chip did it again when he lobbed the keeper to maintain his record of scoring in every game for United.

It continued to be one way traffic and ten minutes later the points were wrapped up when Ryan Brennan completed his brace for the night, similar to his first goal it was big brother Sean that did the approach work, he advanced from the touch line towards Athlone’s  area, before apparently crossing to ‘Brien, but Fabio pulled back and allowed the ball to go directly to Ryan Brennan who from just outside the front of the area hit a sweet volley past a helpless keeper to the roof of the net. Athlone had no answer apart from trying to lob Sava from distance.  On 65 minutes Sean Brennan was called ashore to be replaced by Eric Foley who in turn was replaced by Michael Isichei  eight minutes later when he picked up a shoulder ! injury.  Shane Fitzgerald replaced Aidan Collins.

Apart from the winning score line which if it had been doubled wouldn’t have flattered United on the night this was a very solid all round performance. Firstly even though he kept a clean sheet this was probably the first game in which the keeper was not a contender for man of the match, were it not for the occasional back pass he wouldn’t have touched the ball in play. Alan Byrne appears to have shook off the recent injuries and he formed  a powerful combination with his namesake Philip Byrne they dominate especially in the air, either side of them Shane Grimes and Aidan Collins linked well with the two front danger men, Fabio and Sean Brennan.  Dom Tierney had one of his best games for a long time in the Mons colours, Dom has struggled with injuries since the st! art of the season, on Saturday night he appeared to be well rid of them.  Apart from scoring the goals Ryan Brennan was very creative and works well with brother Sean.  Both John Reilly and Jason Marks were unfortunate not to score on the night but their running and interchanging was very unsettling for the home defence. Fabio got his usual goal but valuable and all is his finishing is, it’s his vision for getting other players involved which is most impressive.

It was also very encouraging to see how the good sized travelling support got behind Michael Isichei when he came on and he responded well to the encouragement.

After the previous two games the manager Roddy Collins said that he had learned a lot about his sides make up, surely he came away from Athlone a happy manager knowing that he has a side with plenty of class.

Athlone Town : Michael Schlingermann, Joe Woods, Darren Young, Jamie Carr, Tommy Barrett, Stephen Relihan, Kevin Williamson, Ronan Stack (Colm Smith), Ian Sweeney, Kevin Horan.

Subs Roy King, Alex Gardiner, Brian Gill, Owen Monaghan, Scott Gaynor.

Monaghan United: Gabriel Sava, Aidan Collin(Shane Fitzgerald)s, Shane Grimes, Alan Byrne, Philip Byrne, Dom Tierney, John Reilly, Ryan Brennan, Declan O’Brien, Sean Brennan (Eric Foley 65,Michael Isichei 73), Jason Marks.

Subs not used: Andy Haran, Jake Rossiter.

Under 19 National League Trials

The Under-19 International League Trials commences at Gortakeegan at 10.a.m. on Saturday next.  This is a great opportunity for all clubs in the area to get their talented young players recognition.

Participants are advised that some of the trials may take place on the Asto Pitch so they should be aware that steel studs are not permitted. They are advised to take footwear suitable for both grass and astro.

Black Water Run

Last Sunday was once again a very successful day in The Black water Run calendar. Congratulations to everyone involved. We would also like to thank their committee for the manner in which they treated our facilities at Gortakeegan.