DERRY CITY V MONAGHAN UNITED
What an important game this is for Monaghan United when they travel to the Brandywell to take on the one team that is standing between them and automatic promotion to the Premier league. It is the second meeting of the season and Derry City are only one of three teams to beat United. The previous encounter was at Gortakeegan when a 38th minute goal was what separated the sides, indeed on the night United felt unfortunate in not getting at least a share of the spoils particularly in the second half when they created chance after chance and confining Derry to possibly two or three opportunities. This time we have to go to the fortress of the Brandywell where Derry ha! s been unbeaten in the league there this season.

Can Monaghan United extend their excellent away record and add the Brandywell to the list that includes Turners Cross, Jackman Park and the RSC as venues that they have taken all the spoils from this season. Well if they can replicate their best form of the season, and that is something they displayed in most outings, then a draw at least is well on the cards.

Going into the game 10 points separate the sides in the Table and it is the last of the second series of games with the final 11 of the third series to follow, so there is plenty of time for United to catch the leaders, so three points from this game and United would be doing themselves a big favour. Incidentally the last game of the season is against Derry at Gortakeegan and wouldn’t it be nice going into that encounter with everything to play for.

Derry come into this game after another tough Ulster-Derby at Finn Park where they had a share of the points in the 1-1 draw with Finn Harps. It was a game that they should have wrapped up in the first half when they spurned at least two other goal chances and in the end were lucky not to have been defeated by a late Harp’s rally.

Monaghan United had a comprehensive win at home against Mervue United. They had to start without their influential defender Brian Gartland who hopefully should be fit for Friday night. That game also saw the return of Paul Whelan from his short sojourn at Sligo Rovers, unfortunately Pauls introduction after 23 minutes was at the expense of an injury to recent signing, Ian McNeill.

Mick Cooke should be able to select for a strong panel and should be travelling with a good level of confidence of at least getting a draw but without doubt they will be facing the toughest side in the league and this is not surprising as were it not for events off-pitch Derry would still be plying their skills in the upper regions of the Premier Division.

Monaghan should have the encouragement of a good travelling support with the recently formed supporters club taking a bus load of fans who hope to have something to sing about.

NEW SIGNINGS
In the recent ‘window’ Mick Cooke availed of the opportunity of signing a new keeper David Quirke from Bohemians, we also saw the welcome return of local favourite Paul Whelan from Sligo Rovers, and the third new arrival was Ian McNeill from Bray Wanderers who looked the part in his two starts but unfortunately he picked an injury against Mervue which could see him out for a while. So the manager is strengthening an already strong side.