Airtricity League 1st Division.

Shelbourne v Monaghan United

Monaghan United make their final trip of the season to the capital when they play league leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Friday evening next. With only seven points separating the sides and United having a game in hand this should indeed be a real keen contest. It will be United’s second trip to the Drumcondra venue this season, on the previous visit there they came from being behind by 2-1  to win by 3-2.  That result ended a 17 year run of defeats at Tolka Park although in the past few season United were unfortunate on a couple of occasions not to have come away with at least a share of the points – perhaps it was the Roddy factor brought the change! The game will be remembered for an outstanding performance by Sean Brennan when he scored two goals! and created the third. It was also a game in which Fabio went from hero to villain –he scored the third goal and picked up two yellow cards, fortunately his second infringement didn’t come until injury time. However in the return game Shels reversed the decision when they won 1-0. The game was probably decided by to controversial penalty decisions the first awarded against United and from which their striker from last season Philly Hughes converted and they second which was denied to United early in the second half when Fabio O’ Brien was fouled. In the end it was a disappointing result for United because they created more than enough chances on the night to have won the game.

Last week Monaghan United dominated the game against Longford Town and having taking an early lead found themselves behind at the halftime interval, an early second half equaliser  and a late late winner in extra time insured them the points

In their last outing which was away to Athlone, Shels quickly reversed the defeat of the previous week at home to Limerick when they scored the first goal of the evening with only three minutes elapsed and although being well in control of matters they didn’t get the second and insurance goal until 85th minute from  Philly Hughes wrapped up the points.

The race for the championship is all to play for, a few weeks ago it looked like Shels had the title won ,but now,  especially since Limerick defeated them two weeks ago that outcome is more in doubt. United’s main aim is promotion but if they could win the remaining six games which on present form they are well capable of they could have the icing on the cake of being champions. They have the two toughest of the remaining fixtures in the next few days, first this game against Shelbourne on Friday and then on Tuesday they travel to play Cork City.

The manager Roddy Collins has been fortunate in that he has been able to field the same starting eleven and with the exception of Conor Mc. Mahon he has a fully fit squad so it should be a confident side that travels to Tolka Park and are well capable of collecting all three points. The main threat to United will come from their joint strikers from last season Philip Hughes and Karl Bermingham, but what defence in the league knows them the best.

Airtricity League 1st Division.

Shelbourne v Monaghan United

Monaghan United make their final trip of the season to the capital when they play league leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Friday evening next. With only seven points separating the sides and United having a game in hand this should indeed be a real keen contest. It will be United’s second trip to the Drumcondra venue this season, on the previous visit there they came from being behind by 2-1  to win by 3-2.  That result ended a 17 year run of defeats at Tolka Park although in the past few season United were unfortunate on a couple of occasions not to have come away with at least a share of the points – perhaps it was the Roddy factor brought the change! The game will be remembered for an outstanding performance by Sean Brennan when he scored two goals! and created the third. It was also a game in which Fabio went from hero to villain –he scored the third goal and picked up two yellow cards, fortunately his second infringement didn’t come until injury time. However in the return game Shels reversed the decision when they won 1-0. The game was probably decided by to controversial penalty decisions the first awarded against United and from which their striker from last season Philly Hughes converted and they second which was denied to United early in the second half when Fabio O’ Brien was fouled. In the end it was a disappointing result for United because they created more than enough chances on the night to have won the game.

Last week Monaghan United dominated the game against Longford Town and having taking an early lead found themselves behind at the halftime interval, an early second half equaliser  and a late late winner in extra time insured them the points

In their last outing which was away to Athlone, Shels quickly reversed the defeat of the previous week at home to Limerick when they scored the first goal of the evening with only three minutes elapsed and although being well in control of matters they didn’t get the second and insurance goal until 85th minute from  Philly Hughes wrapped up the points.

The race for the championship is all to play for, a few weeks ago it looked like Shels had the title won ,but now,  especially since Limerick defeated them two weeks ago that outcome is more in doubt. United’s main aim is promotion but if they could win the remaining six games which on present form they are well capable of they could have the icing on the cake of being champions. They have the two toughest of the remaining fixtures in the next few days, first this game against Shelbourne on Friday and then on Tuesday they travel to play Cork City.

The manager Roddy Collins has been fortunate in that he has been able to field the same starting eleven and with the exception of Conor Mc. Mahon he has a fully fit squad so it should be a confident side that travels to Tolka Park and are well capable of collecting all three points. The main threat to United will come from their joint strikers from last season Philip Hughes and Karl Bermingham, but what defence in the league knows them the best.