Airtricity League of Ireland 1st. Division.

Monaghan United v Longford Town

Monaghan United had the luxury of a week off, and in that time with most of the results elsewhere in the league going their way their hopes of promotion have improved. The result of their last game against Finn Harps has been declared null and void with United been awarded all three points.

Longford Town’s last outing was at home against their fellow Mid-landers Athlone Town. Longford spurned a good opportunity to take a fifth minute lead which was to prove costly. When their keeper was red carded with an hour to go and finding themselves behind 2-0 at that stage there was no way back for them despite a sterling performance for the remainder of the game.

With only seven games to go to the end of the season, promotion at least is well within the grasp of Monaghan United, indeed it is well within their compass to win all seven games and hope that Shelbourne could leak a few more points and win the league out right.

United’s manager Roddy Collins will be taking one game at a time, his main task is to keep his side focused. Although it is some time now since Longford have got the better of United nonetheless encounters between the sides have always been close. Since Longford Town is the cub geographically closest to Monaghan United this has always given a derby feel to the games.

United will have a strong side to select from. The manager Collins has been banished to the stands having been yellow carded at Finn Park, but since that game was declared null and void some supporters were questioning does that suspension still stand. Aidan Lynch will combine the rolls of Coach and Manager which he has already successfully done at the start of the season.

Kick of on Friday at Gortakeegan is 8.p.m.

Forecast : Home win

Suspensions : Keith Quinn, Roddy Collins (Manager)

Injured : Conor Mc. Mahon.

Last Five Results

Next Five Games

Manager’s view

“The week off gave us a good opportunity to recharge our batteries and allow us to concentrate on the final seven games of the season and the lads are really looking forward to getting back into action. Just as it has been since the beginning of the season there is a great atmosphere in training. Most of the results elsewhere during this break went our way, at this point it is looking very much like a three horse race. We all want to finish first and I never started anything in my life looking to end second. Whatever team holds its nerve best will win the title never mind getting promoted. I am instilling in the la! ds to concentrate only on the next game in hand, as this evening against Longford Town and to compete to the final whistle. We saw two great examples of never giving up in Croke Park last weekend when both Tipp’s minors and the Dub’s seniors won with the final kick of their respective games. Incidentally when I was at Shamrock Rovers I tried to sign Stephen Cluxton, having recognised his potential then I for one had full confidence in him when he stepped up to that pressure free kick.

With all the distractions of the cup out of the way we can now give our final games in the League our full concentration. The lads believe they can and they want to win all the remaining ties.

After tonight we have only two more remaining home games, again I am appealing to our loyal supporters to come out in strength for both and hopefully they would consider coming to Tolka Park next Friday, remind your Dublin based friends about the Shels game”.

Finally the best of Luck to Monaghan Ladies next Sunday in Croke Park and hope they bring back the first silverware to the county for this year.

Yours in Football,

Roddy Collins.

Airtricity League of Ireland 1st. Division.

Monaghan United v Longford Town

Monaghan United had the luxury of a week off, and in that time with most of the results elsewhere in the league going their way their hopes of promotion have improved. The result of their last game against Finn Harps has been declared null and void with United been awarded all three points.

Longford Town’s last outing was at home against their fellow Mid-landers Athlone Town. Longford spurned a good opportunity to take a fifth minute lead which was to prove costly. When their keeper was red carded with an hour to go and finding themselves behind 2-0 at that stage there was no way back for them despite a sterling performance for the remainder of the game.

With only seven games to go to the end of the season, promotion at least is well within the grasp of Monaghan United, indeed it is well within their compass to win all seven games and hope that Shelbourne could leak a few more points and win the league out right.

United’s manager Roddy Collins will be taking one game at a time, his main task is to keep his side focused. Although it is some time now since Longford have got the better of United nonetheless encounters between the sides have always been close. Since Longford Town is the cub geographically closest to Monaghan United this has always given a derby feel to the games.

United will have a strong side to select from. The manager Collins has been banished to the stands having been yellow carded at Finn Park, but since that game was declared null and void some supporters were questioning does that suspension still stand. Aidan Lynch will combine the rolls of Coach and Manager which he has already successfully done at the start of the season.

Kick of on Friday at Gortakeegan is 8.p.m.

Forecast : Home win

Suspensions : Keith Quinn, Roddy Collins (Manager)

Injured : Conor Mc. Mahon.

Last Five Results

Next Five Games

Manager’s view

“The week off gave us a good opportunity to recharge our batteries and allow us to concentrate on the final seven games of the season and the lads are really looking forward to getting back into action. Just as it has been since the beginning of the season there is a great atmosphere in training. Most of the results elsewhere during this break went our way, at this point it is looking very much like a three horse race. We all want to finish first and I never started anything in my life looking to end second. Whatever team holds its nerve best will win the title never mind getting promoted. I am instilling in the la! ds to concentrate only on the next game in hand, as this evening against Longford Town and to compete to the final whistle. We saw two great examples of never giving up in Croke Park last weekend when both Tipp’s minors and the Dub’s seniors won with the final kick of their respective games. Incidentally when I was at Shamrock Rovers I tried to sign Stephen Cluxton, having recognised his potential then I for one had full confidence in him when he stepped up to that pressure free kick.

With all the distractions of the cup out of the way we can now give our final games in the League our full concentration. The lads believe they can and they want to win all the remaining ties.

After tonight we have only two more remaining home games, again I am appealing to our loyal supporters to come out in strength for both and hopefully they would consider coming to Tolka Park next Friday, remind your Dublin based friends about the Shels game”.

Finally the best of Luck to Monaghan Ladies next Sunday in Croke Park and hope they bring back the first silverware to the county for this year.

Yours in Football,

Roddy Collins.