Airtricity League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Play Off -2nd leg.

Galway United  v  Monaghan United

Monaghan United are well on their way to qualifying for the Premier Division after defeating Galway United 2-0 at Gortakeegan on Tuesday night, however they have to do it all over again on Friday at Terryland Park in the 2nd leg of the play offs.  The question that Monaghan fans are asking after that 1st leg is a two goal cushion enough or will they regret the many score able chances their side missed in that game.  Terryland Park will be a tough venue, Galway who brought one of the best away support seen at Gortakeegan this season should have a near capacity crowd, apart from the game they will be honouring their President Michael D Higgins who is now the President Elect of Ireland, that in itself will guarantee a large turn out.

In the 1st leg game Monaghan were fortunate that their three influential playesr Aidan Collins, Sean and Ryan Brennan who had been doubtful from knocks picked up against Athlone in the previous game had recovered to play a full part. John Reilly also returns from his one match suspension. Unfortunately midfielder Eric Foley picked up a red card on Tuesday and he will be absent.  This means that once again that Roddy Collins will have a strong panel to select from. Although Foley’s absence will cause a problem, Collins has plenty of options and he will probably bring Alan Byrne forward from defence to midfield.

Galway United may have had a poor season but they are not to be underestimated. Once they had reached the point of the season that they couldn’t stay up they took the foot off the pedal which probably wrongly created the impression that they are a weak side. One should not overlook the fact that they are a Premier Division side who are used to playing against sides at that level. Their higher fitness levels, particularly in the closing stages of the first leg was evident and they will not relinquish their position easily. In  Gortakeegan it was evident that Galway have some excellent players and have a number of dangerous strikers.

Speaking to Monaghan’s manager Roddy Collins after the 1st leg he stated that this is a cup final, we are only at half time, the two goal lead is not enough but it is a good cushion which we can build on.

This game will have to be decided on the night with extra time and penalties if required. Monaghan will not want to go down that road and on their performance all season and in the first leg they should advance to the Premier next season.

Verdict: Promotion for Monaghan

Suspensions: Eric Foley

Injured: Conor McMahon.

Last Five Results.

Monaghan United

2

0

Galway United

Athlone Town

0

5

Monaghan United

Limerick FC

1

0

Monaghan United

Mervue United

0

1

Monaghan United

Monaghan United

2

0

Wexford Youths

Manager’s view “The qualifiers are like being in a cup final and it is half time. We have the cushion of the two goal lead but going to Terryland Park it won’t be enough we will have to build on it to advance. I was satisfied with our performance in the 1st leg, with a bit more luck we could have extended the lead. There is a great determination in the dressing room and the lads need no motivation from me in making their final push for promotion.

Yours in Football,

Roddy Collins.

Airtricity League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Play Off -2nd leg.

Galway United  v  Monaghan United

Monaghan United are well on their way to qualifying for the Premier Division after defeating Galway United 2-0 at Gortakeegan on Tuesday night, however they have to do it all over again on Friday at Terryland Park in the 2nd leg of the play offs.  The question that Monaghan fans are asking after that 1st leg is a two goal cushion enough or will they regret the many score able chances their side missed in that game.  Terryland Park will be a tough venue, Galway who brought one of the best away support seen at Gortakeegan this season should have a near capacity crowd, apart from the game they will be honouring their President Michael D Higgins who is now the President Elect of Ireland, that in itself will guarantee a large turn out.

In the 1st leg game Monaghan were fortunate that their three influential playesr Aidan Collins, Sean and Ryan Brennan who had been doubtful from knocks picked up against Athlone in the previous game had recovered to play a full part. John Reilly also returns from his one match suspension. Unfortunately midfielder Eric Foley picked up a red card on Tuesday and he will be absent.  This means that once again that Roddy Collins will have a strong panel to select from. Although Foley’s absence will cause a problem, Collins has plenty of options and he will probably bring Alan Byrne forward from defence to midfield.

Galway United may have had a poor season but they are not to be underestimated. Once they had reached the point of the season that they couldn’t stay up they took the foot off the pedal which probably wrongly created the impression that they are a weak side. One should not overlook the fact that they are a Premier Division side who are used to playing against sides at that level. Their higher fitness levels, particularly in the closing stages of the first leg was evident and they will not relinquish their position easily. In  Gortakeegan it was evident that Galway have some excellent players and have a number of dangerous strikers.

Speaking to Monaghan’s manager Roddy Collins after the 1st leg he stated that this is a cup final, we are only at half time, the two goal lead is not enough but it is a good cushion which we can build on.

This game will have to be decided on the night with extra time and penalties if required. Monaghan will not want to go down that road and on their performance all season and in the first leg they should advance to the Premier next season.

Verdict: Promotion for Monaghan

Suspensions: Eric Foley

Injured: Conor McMahon.

Last Five Results.

Monaghan United

2

0

Galway United

Athlone Town

0

5

Monaghan United

Limerick FC

1

0

Monaghan United

Mervue United

0

1

Monaghan United

Monaghan United

2

0

Wexford Youths

Manager’s view “The qualifiers are like being in a cup final and it is half time. We have the cushion of the two goal lead but going to Terryland Park it won’t be enough we will have to build on it to advance. I was satisfied with our performance in the 1st leg, with a bit more luck we could have extended the lead. There is a great determination in the dressing room and the lads need no motivation from me in making their final push for promotion.

Yours in Football,

Roddy Collins.