Airtricity League of Ireland  –  1^st Division.

Salthill Devon  v  Monaghan

After their very comfortable win against Everton (Cork) in FAI/Ford Cup on Friday, Monaghan United are on the road again this weekend to play Salthill Devon at Drom, Galway, in the 1st Division of the Airtricity League.

The fortunes of these sides are at the opposite end of the scales, Monaghan United is second place in the table are chasing leaders Shelbourne with only two points separating the sides, Salthill Devon on the othehand.  Both teams last outings were in the  FAI/FORD Cup against Junior League sides.  United easily accounted for Everton Cork with a 4-1 win  whereas Salthill Devon went down  1-2 at home to Sheriff YC.

. It is only Salthill Devon second season in the 1st Division.  Monaghan United played them in the first series of games in the league in March and although beating the Galway side 3-0 they had appeared to have improved well from last season. However they haven’t lived up to that earlier promise and have had only one win so far against fellow strugglers Wexford Youths. Salthill Devon has installed a new manager in Paul Mc. Gee. And they are hoping that he can turn around their season for them.

Monaghan United have only been defeated once this season and it was to Satlhill Devon near neighbours Mervue United.  In was an unexpected result, so for that reason alone Roddy Collins will be taking nothing for granted, there will be no room for complacency.  This was something both he and his side dealt well with in their last game against Everton (Cork).  Since that blip in Mervue Monaghan have gone on to win four and draw one of the five fixtures they have since played in. Their current forms see them in joint second place with Cork at the top of the table and a mere two points behind leaders Shelbourne.

An unfortunate aspect from United’s point of view is that they are starting to pick up injuries, Conor Mc. Mahon will be out for the rest of the season and Sean Brennan picked up an injury the last evening but thankfully it is not too serious.

Roddy Colins will be hoping that his side can survive until the transfer window when he hopes to strengthen his panel,. Nonetheless Roddy should still have a strong squadl to select from and going on their recent run of results it would be disappointing if Monaghan United don’t take home all three points.

Once again a good number of the Monaghan United supporters are expected to make the trip west for the slightly early kick off at 7.p.m. at Drom.

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Verdict: Home Win.

Kick off: Drom 7.p.m. :  Sean Brennan, Ryan Brennan

Injuries: Conor  Mc. Mahon,

Suspensions

Last Five Results

Next Five Games

Manager Quotes “In my only previous encounter against Salthill Devon last March I was impressed with them for a side that was only in their second season in the 1^st Division.  Although we defeated them  by three goals I though that they gave us a very good game and they were a side I felt would improve well as the season progressed and when they defeated Wexford Youths it looked like my belief was well grounded.  Unfortunately since then it hasn’t happened for them.

With injuries and suspension my side is well depleted especially up front where I am missing the Brennan Brothers, Sean and Ryan, for that reason I am looking forward to the transfer window to strengthen the side. As in our previous game against Everton (Cork) we will be taking nothing for granted, we all have a bad memory of our last visit to Galway.

Although as I have said we are missing a number of vital players I still nonetheless have a strong pane to select from and again we will be going for a positive result.”

Yours in football,

Roddy Collins.l