EA Sports Cup Quarter Final

Monaghan United  vs  Everton (Cork)

Monaghan United are at home to non-league side Everton from Cork in Fourth Round of the FAI/Ford Cup on Friday next. This was one of the competitions that United did so well in last season being knocked out eventually in the quarter final by Sligo Rovers.

Everton was founded in 1958 with most of the players coming from the Togher area of Cork. The club has a Senior team, two Junior teams, an over 35 team, two Youth teams as well as a schoolboy section with teams from under 7 upwards. In 2002 their Junior team playing in the Cork A.U.L. reached the last 16 of the F.A.I. Junior Cup. Everton have qualified three times to play in the F.A.I. cup. In 1986 Everton were defeated 1-0 by Cobh Ramblers in Cobh and in 1997 were defeated 4-2 by Shelbourne in Tolka Park. In 2003 after taking an early lead Everton were finally beaten 3-1 by Waterford United at Turners Cross.  In 2007 after reaching the final of the Munster Youth Cup for the first time and the FAI Youth Cup for the first time their youth team were unlucky to lose both finals; 3-1 to Wembley Rovers in Turner! s Cross and 2-1 to Castlebar Celtic in the FAI Youths Cup Final which was played in Castlebar.

In 2008 Everton AFC celebrated 50 years in football Last year Everton AFC completed a refurbishment of the dressing rooms in Everton Park which includes a gymnasium at a cost €500,000 and taking a mere 12 months to complete.

Until recently Monaghan United had a tendency to get caught out by non-league sides, fortunately in the last few seasons they turned this around.  There is no doubt but that the Cork side who may not be as well known around these parts as the Mersey side of the same name have plenty of form. Roddy Collins is too experienced a manager to let his side take anything for granted.

Last Monday United played probably their poorest performance of the season, this was mainly due to the negative attitude that Harps approached the game where a share of points in a scoreless draw appeared to be their main ambition. In the two previous games United on the other hand played delightful attacking football against Athlone Town and Waterford United it was the type of performance that we have come to identify United with from the start of the season.  This will be the type of football that the fans will be hoping to see more of the same again.

Again Roddy Collins should have a strong panel to select from. Unfortunately he will be without Conor Mc. Mahon who suffered a fracture to his leg against Finn Harps. It would be a surprise if United don’t advance.

Kick off at Gortakeegan 8.p.m.

Waterford United  0  -  1  Monaghan United

For the first time this season Monaghan’s manager Roddy Collins was able to start the same eleven for two weeks in a row and this was a major factor in them taking all three points away from the RSC.  Waterford United almost got off to a blistering start when a strike by Paul Murphy shaved the foot of the upright.  A strong cross field breeze made conditions difficult and it probably contributed to the opening chance for Waterford.  Immediately from the throw in the home side broke down the wing and when the ball was swung in against the breeze by Conor Sinnott it hung in the air causing Shane Grimes to misjudge it’s flight and his attempted back header fell to Murphy.  Monagha! n got into the game immediately and were controlling the possession and territory; however it was Waterford who created two excellent chances when they broke out of defence. The first attempt saw Dwain Wilson out pace Dom Tierney but his effort was turned behind for a corner and then when Philip Byrne lost his footing it left Waterford clear on goal but Shane Grimes did excellent to get back to clear. The Waterford defence were closing down Monaghan’s  danger man  Declan ‘Fabio O’ Brien by double man marking him  it took a good tackle by Kevin Murray to dispossess him after Fabio picked up a back pass from Michael Coady and on 15 minutes it looked like Fabio was through only to be ruled offside. Monaghan’s pressure did pay off on 25 minutes. They forced a corner kick which Ryan Brennan swung in the ball held up in the breeze causing the Waterfor! d defence some problems, Dom Tierney was the quickest to react, he knocked the ball on to Sean Brennan and he lashed it to the back of the net. Sean Brennan had only come back onto the field after being off for a number of minutes receiving treatment for a shoulder injury.  Monaghan were fortunate not to concede five minutes later when a lob from Paul Murphy beat the offside trap, Willie John Kieley put Gary Keane through but although he should have he was unable to beat Sava. Dom Tierney came very close to getting his first goal for United when his strike from 20 skimmed the post

Waterford was trying the direct route to goal by getting in long balls to Kieley but their dangerous striker was well marshalled by Monaghan defence.  When Kiely did get through in the closing minute of the half Sava smartly was off his line to take the ball off his toe.

It would be surprising if Roddy Collins had his side weren’t prepared for a bombardment from Waterford on the resumption as that is what they were on the receiving end for the opening seven minutes.  Like the first half Paul Murphy came close in the opening minutes when he headed just wide of the post having got on the end of a free kick and two minutes later a double effort , again Murphy’s  powerful strike from 20 yards was saved by Sava who deflected the ball to David Breen but fortunately Philip Byrne got in a good block and clearance. Then Monaghan also had a double chance  when first of all Ryan Brennan had a free header on goal which was blocked out to Dom Tierney whose strike from the front of the area again skim! med the post.  As in the first half Fabio was tormenting the Waterford defence and was very ably assisted by the Brennan brothers. Dom Tierney was back to his best and when Eric Foley came it was almost impossible for Waterford to get forward. Again it was Paul Murphy who came closest to get a goal back when his strike from 30 yards grazed the crossbar. Don Tieney again came close but this time it would have been an own goal hid high back pass almost embarrassed Sava, it looked like Dom was determined to get on the score sheet. It took some very determined defending from Waterford United to keep the score down to one.  They could make no impression going forward. Particularly in the second half Monaghan United probably played some of the football they have displayed this season.

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Seamus Long (Paul Carey, 88), Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne Michael Coady; Paul Murphy, Conor Sinnott, David Breen, Dwayne Wilson (Shane Dempsey, 71); Willie John Kiely, Gary Keane.

Subs not used: Josh Byrne, Shane Barrett, Gary Dunphy, Brian Nolan, Lee Chin.

Monaghan United: Gabriel Sava; Aidan Collins, Alan Byrne, Philip Byrne, Shane Grimes; John Reilly (Shane Fitzgerald, 66), Don Tierney, Jason Marks (Eric Foley, 53), Ryan Brennan; Declan O’Brien, Sean Brennan.

Subs not used: Conor McMahon Paul Whelan, Michael Isichei, Andy Haran.

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.

Monaghan United   1  -  0  Finn Harps

When Michael Isichea put Declan ‘Fabio’ O ‘ Brien through in the opening minute it looked like this could be a very entertaining evening for the home support ,the keeper Ciaran Gallagher did well to dispossess Fabio and immediately on the counter attack Mark Forker played Keith Cowen through fortunately he didn’ connect with the cross alas what followed was 45 minutes of the scrappiest football displayed at this venue for a long time. It looked that Harps came determined to get a share of the points. United eventually took the lead after 39 minutes. Monaghan didn’t have their next chance on goal until 13^th minute, Declan O’ Brien beat the offside trap and was through on goal only to be well marshalled by Paddy Mc. Loughlin and then Sean Brennan cut down the wing an d delivered a good pass into the box but again good defending forced the ball wide.  Harps Gareth Harkin had the only strike of the ball from play of the half, after doing all the hard work having advanced past the defence into the area he dragged his shot which had neither strength or conviction past the post.  Just when the half was drawing to a conclusion in 43 Monaghan broke the deadlock. Paddy Mc. Loughlin chopped down Ryan Brennan about 30 yards out, Brennan’s brother Sean stepped up to the free kick which he curled around the wall and just inside of the post.

On the restart Harps went on the attack and Conor Mc. Mahon in attempting to clear the ball went over badly on his ankle and had to be stretchered off to be replaced by Paul Whelan.

Monaghan United were much better on the resumption for the second half.  Michael Isichea was getting up the right wing and putting in some good passes.  Whereas in the 1^st half United failed to force a corner they had two in quick succession and were also awarded two free kicks in front of the’D’ the second of these was created after some excellent individual play from Philip Byrne saw him beat a number of defenders. Mark Forker had a rear strike on goal for Harps which was gathered at the second attempt by Sava.  Sean Brennan appeared to be through for his second of the night when his powerful run took him through on goal only to drag his strike wide.  An excellent save by Harps keeper denied John Rei! lly who had a powerful header after being played in by a good pass from Ryan Brennan. Marc Brolly had the last real chance on goal when his free kick went narrowly wide.

Although Monaghan were the better of two poor teams on the night they will be glad to have collected all three points playing well below par.

Monaghan United: Sava; McMahon (Whelan 45), A Byrne, P Byrne, Grimes; Reilly, Foley, R Brennan, Isichei (Marks 71); O’Brien (Haran 82), S Brennan.

Subs not used: Loughran, Tierney, Collins, Fitzgerald.

Finn Harps: Gallagher; McLoughlin, Mailey, Cowan, Harkin; Forker, Bonner, McElwee, Brolly; Friel (Curtis 63), McHugh.

Subs not used: McFadden, Doherty, Coll, Connaghan, McMenamin, O’Hagan.

Referee: P Caschera

UEFA Under-19 European Championship elite stage qualifier

Republic of Ireland      3-0     Italy

Aaron Mc. Carey keeps another clean sheet

The Republic of Ireland have qualified for the European Championship Under-19 finals in July after recording an impressive 3-0 win over Italy (Sunday) in Kolobrzeg, Poland.

Congratulations to our former senior keeper Aaron Mc. Carey who kept a clean sheet in the game.

Monaghan Town FC Ulster Junior Cup Winners

Congratulations to Monaghan Town FC on winning the Ulster Junior Cup on Sunday last when they defeated Kilmacrennan on penalties.