Monaghan United v Cork City

Cork City are the visitors to Gortakeegan this weekend. After joining the 1^st. Division following a events off the pitch last season the Cork side have settled well and hold a mid table position. Back in April Monaghan United had their first ever win at Turners Cross.  It was nip and tuck between the sides throughout the game.  Monaghan United snatched the winner in injury time, Cathal O’ Connor took a corner kick and with Cork concentrating on containing the forwards central defender Brian Garland ghosted in with a powerful header and with only a minute left on the clock there was no time for a Cork response.

On Friday night Cork went down at home to Shelbourne, a Dave McGill goal three minutes into the second half was what separated the sides in the finish. With little to separate the sides on the night Cork apparently were unfortunate not to have at least got a share of the points. Cork were very disappointed to concede all three points to United at Turners Cross and no doubt will be hoping to avenge that result on this occasion.

Monaghan United are definitely on a roll and have accumulated some difficult points and there was none tougher than the most recent three they added to their tally in the RSC.  They have been confident in soaking up some extreme pressure and converting the chances that came their way.  Encouragingly there is a good spread on the goal scorers. On the flip side they have been picking up a lot of niggly injuries. On recent form it should be a home win but one cannot forget that were it not off field events Cork would be still playing in the Premier Division.

Injuries : Niall Flynn.

Suspensions : none.

Previous 5 results

Next 5 Games

Manager Quotes “After a very tough encounter at the RSC we extended our on the road record. Weather conditions which included a strong breeze and a steady drizzle made playing conditions difficult.  After surviving the best that Waterford could throw at us in the first half we came out after the interval and played the type of football that I know we are capable of. The win, barring goal difference takes us into joint 2nd position with Waterford and Limerick so our promotion ambitions are still well on course.

Making their first visit for a number of years is a Cork City side. When United collected all three points in April it was the Monaghan sides first ever victory at Turners Cross.  Indeed there was nothing between the sides on the night with each having their own dominant periods through the game and it wasn’t until injury time with seconds to go that Brian Garland headed home from a corner kick.  No doubt such a late score left the Cork entourage feeling slightly robbed, having been in that position a few times I know how it feels, so we can take ! it as a given that the Leesiders will be arriving with revenge on their minds. After coming through a turbulent period off the field last season Cork have recovered well and they would be one of the better sides we encountered and that is not surprising considering that they were in the Premier Division until this season.

If we can start the game in the manner that we played against Waterford especially in the second half I would be confident of a home win but nothing less will suffice.  Again we will be near full strength.  We picked up a few knocks against Waterford but hopefully they won’t be of concern.

I believe the recent formed supporters club is gathering in strength so I hope they turn out in numbers to ‘welcome’ Cork.

Photo 1

Back Row: Monaghan United Manager Mick Cooke, Monaghan United Players James Clarke and Dean McMahon. Middle Row: Eli Ward, Rory Sleator, James Bourke and Adam O'Neill, winners in the U14 & U12's Section.  Front Row:  Oisin McElroy, U10's winner, Philly Donnelly, Monaghan United Player and Niall McKenna, U10's Winner.

Photo 2

Summer Camp participants.