Airtricity League 1st Division Limerick FC 0 - 1 Monaghan United With promotion very much in the sights of both sides this game promised much and the two sides set out their stalls from the start. Monaghan made the better start and in the opening ten minutes most of the pressure was coming from them. Limerick looked dangerous on the counter attack especially Joe Gamble who was getting down the right wing and getting behind the defence. Monaghan United’s manager recognised this threat and decided to man-mark Gamble which had the desired effect. United had to play without their without their very effective young striker Ryan Brennan who was injured Although Monaghan dictated the pace, possession and attempts on goal it wasn’t until the 3rd of the four added minutes in the end that they scored the all important second and match clincher. It was an excellent entertaining game for the 870 supporters. There was a vast difference in the style of play from both sides, Monaghan United by and large kept the ball on the surface using the full width of the pitch to do so, Limerick on the other hand resorted to the quick ball over the top, this was their undoing because United’s back four of Shane Grimes, Alan Byrne, Aidan Collins and Paul Whelan won everything that was thrown at them. Limerick gave home debuts to two of their new signings – Denis Behan and Joe ! Gamble; it was Behan who had the first half chance of the game when shot over from distance with Sava stranded off his line. However of the two new signings it was Gamble who caught the eye and created those problems at the start for United. Fabio O’ Brien had the first real attempt for United after 18 minutes when he was played through by some good approach work involving Shane Grimes and Sean Brennan but with only the keeper to beat Fabio never got the power into the strike that it required. Limerick’s Sean O ‘Connor picked out Paudie Quinn but his strike was well off target. Then John Reilly came very close with a strike from distance. United then had a lucky let off, Denis Behan was put clear by O’Connor only to have the miss of the night when he failed to connect. Joe Gamble picked up his first of two yellow cards for a foul in 32nd minute on John Reilly. Three minutes later Reilly opened the scoring, Shane Grimes won the ball deep in his ! own half along the touch line, he sent a diagonal cross finding Sean Brennan in front of the area, with some close dribbling he held the ball up frustrating a number of defenders before releasing it to Reilly who had ghosted in behind the defenders and in the end simply side footed the ball to the corner of the net. United owned the ball for the final ten minutes of the half and went in search of the second all important goal and Reilly should have completed his brace in 42nd minute but was denied by a terrific save from keeper Barry Ryan who somehow got down to save at the foot of the post. The second half started at a frantic pace with both sides up for it. The first danger came from Limerick with an intense minute of pressure but it was Sean Brennan who raised the siege with a long clearance to Jordan Keegan on the right wing , Brennan raced forward to get on the end o f the return and his fine effort on goal was cleared by Limerick. Limerick had a let off when a fine cross right in front of goal by Fabio only required the slightest of touches to finish but United had no one in the area to connect. David Byrne replaced Fabio on 53 minutes who despite his best efforts couldn’t get into the game. Limerick brought on Sean Brennan and Sean Brosnan and Brosnan did improve things unfortunately for him he was getting very little assistance. An excellent strike from Jordan Keegan was deflected for ! a corner. Ryan brought off another fine save from the head of Davy Byrne who had been picked out well by Brennan. Limerick pushed their captain Pat Purcell up front in an all out effort to get a goal back but he got no change out of United’s back four. United were then relieved to see Behan’s 18 m free strike the ‘wall’. At this point Limerick persisted with the long high ball which was playing into United’s hands. On 71 minutes Limerick had two rare strikes at the target, first from Paudie Quinn and then from Behan. Then a good move from United started by Sean Brennan to Davy Byrne and finished with a strike off target by Foley. United could have sat back and protected their lead in the final ten minutes but instead were more intent on getting their second , something they nearly accomplished when Sean Brennan strike just missed the target. ! Roddy Collins decided to freshen the attack and he sent on Jason Marks and Michael Isichei for Keith Quinn and Jordan Keegan .United’s commitment paid off, Brennan won the ball near the corner flag, with just over a minute left to play, most people expected him- the defenders included to take the ball to the corner flag and use up some precious time, instead he turned inwards and advanced on goal before sending a low pass to Davy Byrne who from 10 yards first time crashed off the underneath side of the crossbar to the back of the net. On the restart Joe Gamble got his second yellow followed by red for a very cynical foul on Brennan who was a thorn in Limerick’s side all evening.. There were many fine individual performances from United who never let Limerick into the game, Sean Brennan was excellent from start to finish and although he didn’t score in this game his approach work and two of his many fine passes set up both goals. Such was the cover from the defence the keeper Gabriel Sava didn’t have a save to make. The new recent signing who started – Keith Quinn and Jordan Kelly performed well and David Byrne who came on in the second half took his goal well. For the moment this result has kept United in joint second spot alongside Cork City. United will now have a well deserved weeks rest and their next action will be at home to Athlone Town in the final game of the second of three rounds. Limerick FC : Barry Ryan, John Frost Brian Mc. Carthy, Pat Purcell, Corey Treacy,(Sean Kelly 71) Jeffrey Judge, David, O’Leary (Andrew Bhandarkar 14), Joe Gamble, Sean O’ Connor (Sean Brosnan 57), Denis Behan, Paudie Quinn. Subs not used: Thomas Lyons, Stephen Mc. Gann, Peter Hynes, Shane Cusack Monaghan United: Gabriel Sava, Paul Whelan, Shane Grimes, Alan Byrne, Aidan Collins, Eric Foley,John Reilly, Keith Quinn Jason Marks 61), Declan O’ Brien (Davy Byrne 54), Sean Brennan, Jordan Keegan (Michael Isichea 82), Subs not used : Niall Flynn, Paul Byrne, Jake Rossiter, Rod Collins, Referee : Graham Kelly (Cork) Monaghan United v Athlone Town With the summer break none of the League of Ireland sides are in action this week. Monaghan United’s next outing will be at home against Athlone Town on Friday 5th August. After their excellent away win last week the home supporters will be looking forward to this game especially as the recent signing have brought a new shape and strength to the side. That win against Limerick saw United retain joint 2nd position in the table alongside Cork City. After the Athlone game United will be commencing the third and final series of games of the season, their performance to date is keeping them well on course for promotion. For them the position of 3rd from bottom has to be disappointing for Athlone Town, they made a bad start to the season but recently they have strengthened their side with new signings and appear at last to be turning their season around. In the previous meeting of the side at Lissywollen United had a comprehensive 3-0 win. |
Tuesday, 26 July 2011 12:07