Airtricity League of Ireland  –  1^st Division.

Monaghan United  v  Cork City.

It’s a top of the table clash with the two sides disputing second place only two points behind the current leaders Shelbourne.  Although we have not reached the midpoint of the season this could be a crucial game in determining which side is promoted.

It will be the second meeting of the sides this season. In the previous encounter at Turners’s Cross a cruel deflection in the 83rd minute denied Monaghan United a well earned win. Fabio O’ Brien was playing in his first game for United and he announced his arrival with a brace of goals, he gave his side the lead as early as the 6th minute when he headed in a Shane Grimes cross.  Cork got back on terms with a similar goal from Graham Cummins on 24 minutes. It looked like Cork were going to take the lead approaching the hour mark when the referee awarded them a penalty, United keeper Gabriel Sava brought down one of his defenders without a Corkman within 10 yards of them, the referee pointed to the spot to the amazement of everyone in the ground, fortunately the 4th official corrected him and the d! ecision was rescinded, it was nearly the ultimate hometown decision, something that the United fans will be hoping for this time around.  Immediately following this fiasco United broke down field and Fabio crashed home his second on the night.  Just when the game appeared to be drifting away from Cork a deflection off Jimmy Fallon’s back wrong footed Sava and Cork were back on terms. It was a great result for United considering that they were missing Dom Tierney, Aidan Collins, Paul Whelan, and Alan Byrne, also Cork hadn't conceded a goal prior to that game.

Cork City who is unbeaten this season will go into the game as favourites.  Monaghan United will be happy with the underdogs title.  They have a very well balanced team, the players in particular that United will have to give close attention to are the leagues top scorer Graham Cummins, Vinny Sullivan, and Frenchman- Vincent Escudé-Candu. Coincidently their manager when they were relegated was Roddy Collins although events at the time never gave him a chance to manage after taking on the role.

Collins will welcome back the Brennan brothers Sean and Ryan, at the moment there is a lot of cross-channel interest in Ryan so it is quite possible that a number of scouts from such clubs will at Gotrakeegan to see him face his toughest test of the season. Unfortunately defenders Conor Mc. Mahon and Aidan Collins will be missing through injury, but that said there should still have a strong enough panel to select from.

With Cork City going so well they are expected to bring a big support with them for their only expedition of the season to Gortakeegan .  Hopefully this table-topper should also attract a good home support.

In the previous game there was nothing between the sides and Monaghan were disappointed to concede the late equaliser, this time they have home advantage.

Verdict : Home win/

Kick off at Gortakeegan on Friday @ 8.p.m.

Injuries: Conor Mc. Mahon,

Suspensions : None

Last Five Results

Next Five Games

Manager Quotes “If our last two games were against what some might have considered weaker opposition I would take that as a compliment of the squad on how well they have done so far this season. To be competing neck and neck with a superpower in Irish Football is a testimony to all involved in the club. However we are only at the half way stage of the season and nothing has been achieved yet. Encouragingly we are getting stronger and better by every game. The Cork game is coming at the right time as our form is super and our confidence sky high. We fear no team in the country - First or Premier!  Cork will face their toughest challenge of the season so far. Th! ey will have to overcome two huge obstacles on Friday, firstly, prevent us from scoring which no-one has achieved this season, secondly ,to beat us on our own patch which has become a fortress. This is mainly due to the unquenchable desire by my players to fight to the bitter end and give every ounce for the cause. This is a battle we are relishing, it will not determine the final outcome of the season as there are many games to play and points to fight for, but to put one over on the big spenders would be a statement for all the so called weaker clubs .Cork would be most pundits’ favourites for promotion and rightly so; they still have the mind-set and all the other attributes of the top Division.  However I believe that they have drawn too many games and  are a kick of a ball away from a couple of losses, that is when they will find out their metal if they are to achieve what everybody ! accepts -  automatic promotion. Let’s wait and see. Definitely a game for our supporters to relish.

As Cup Draws go getting Sligo Rovers away does not come any more exciting. In this game we all love challenges and to go to the Showgrounds will be a great occasion. It brings back memories of my Bohs Team in Aberdeen and Kaiserslutrn and entering the ring with my brother Stephen against Chris Eubank in Millstreet. Each time as massive underdogs, yet we finished the victors, so Sligo Rovers beware you are blocking our way to European Football.

Finally a big thank you to the loyal band of supporters who again followed us to Drom against Sathill Devon and captured all the goals on video.”

Yours in Football,

Roddy Collins.