1^st Division Airtricity League.

Longford Town  v  Monaghan Town

Flancare Park is  the venue for Monaghan United’s next outing on Saturday  against Longford Town. United will travel to Longford hugely confident after last weeks draw at home to Cork City.  Many of the fans how were at that game felt that the home side let two points slip when they had spurned many of the chances created especially in the second half when Cork had been reduced to ten men for the last half hour, but how many of these self same supporters wouldn’t have settled for a share of the points going into the game.  It was a very encouraging performance by United, they limited Cork to at most three chances in the opening half and not a solitary one during the second 45 minutes whereas the Mons had numerous! attempts throughout the game but had to settle in the end for Sean Brennan’s excellent free kick in the first half to get them on the score sheet.  As in the previous game at Turners Cross it took a fortuitous goal which was very much against the run of play to deny United all points.

Like United, Longford Town’s first half lead was pegged back in the second half of their Midland Derby against Athlone Town.  That opening goal on 40 minutes was the only incident of note in a poor 1st. half. Indeed with six former Athlone players turning out in the Longford colours there can’t be much that the sides don’t known about each other. Athlone Town who are toiling in the lower regions of the Table had recently rejuvenated their side with new signings and probably caught out Longford who had beaten them in the previous two encounters this season. Again like United Longford did rue not taking their chances and putting their  neighbours out of sight when Athlone got a 74 minute equaliser.

In the previous encounter between the sides at Gortakeegan the only goal scored on the night by United was all that separated the sides.  In that particular game all attention was on Longford’s new International signing Keith Gillespie and in the end United were fortunate when  the ex Manchester United striker didn’t  deprive them of their win with an equaliser.

At that point in the season there was nothing between the sides in the Table, since then Monaghan United has retained second position whereas Longford has drifted back to a midway point.  But such positions will count for nothing on the night.  Geographically Longford Town are the closest to Monaghan United in the 1st Division, so therefore games between the sides have a derby edge without any of the rancour or negativities often associated with such ties, conversely there is actually a good relationship between the two outfits.

With the distraction of the EA Sports Cup game against Limerick FC the following Tuesday this will be a busy weekend for United. It will be interesting to see what plan of action Roddy Collins will have.  There is no doubt from speaking to him that his main focus is on the league and for that reason I believe that he will start the strongest eleven available to him against Longford.

Longford’s manager Tony Cousins will see this as a game that his side can win.

However if Monaghan United can replicate their recent good form they should in the end have a positive result and are more than capable of getting an away win.

EA Sport Cup Quarter Final

Limerick FC  v Monaghan United

To round off their busy weekend Monaghan United travel south to Jackman Park to play Limerick on Tuesday evening next in the Quarter Finals of the EA Sports Cup. For United this game is sandwiched between two important League games i.e. Longford Town and Shelbourne.  Although Roddy Collins would like to see his side advance to the semi final of the EA Sports Cup no doubt his main focus will be on next Friday’s game against the league leaders Shelbourne at Gortakeegan.

Although recently Limerick have dropped back in the table there is still little between them and Monaghan United and come the end of the season we expect that they will still be one of the sides contesting promotion.

Limerick were on the end of a 3-0 (which could have been much heavier) drubbing by Shelbourne at Jackman Park last weekend, by all accounts it was a lacklustre performance by the home side something no doubt they will want to put behind them.

Monaghan and Limerick have had one previous meeting at Gortakeegan this season it ended in a 1-1 draw with both sides having plenty of chances to settle the tie, indeed Limerick felt disappointed that they didn’t take away all three points with them.  Limerick was always a fortress for Monaghan United, however in recent seasons especially since they started playing in Jackman Park United are fairing much better and collecting the points there, indeed last season they put three goals past Limerick there in the Cup.

It is hard to call this game as it will depend a lot on what formation that Roddy Collins sends out. If he decides that he would like to have the cup in the trophy cabinet come the end of the season then he can send out a side that are more than capable of doing so for him.  But with Shelbourne coming will he risk some valuable League points.

Monaghan United  v Shelbourne

Apart from Cork City, next weeks opponents are the side that all Monaghan United supporters are looking forward to seeing in Gortakeegan.  No doubt Shels who are at present the League leaders are the ‘must beat team’ for all the other sides in the 1^st Division.  In their previous encounter of the season at Tolka Park in what was probably Monaghan United’s best performance so far they came away having beaten Shels 3-2.  United’s supporters will believe that since their side defeated Shels away they should be more than capable of repeating the performance at home.

Monaghan with Cork City are in joint second position behind Shelbourne in the 1^st Division and will be hoping that this result together with the Longford one will leave very little daylight between themselves and Shels.

Kick off at Gortakeegan on Friday 1^st July is at 8.p.m.

Full match preview in next weeks Northern Standard.

Bus to Longford

Supporters bus leaves Mickey Micks  Bar Dublin St. @3.30. on Saturday evening for the Longford game.

Anyone wishing to book limited tickets contact Gerry Campbell  087 2467180 or Mickey Gallagher 086 3774435

Aviva Draw

New draw for two season tickets for home Intonation matches is now being held by the club.

Tickets are €5 each or book of 3 for€10.