Everyone involved with Monaghan United knew that this would be a true bench mark of their recent form especially since Mick Cooke’s side was missing the very influential striker Karl Bermingham, but fortunately we hadn’t  long to wait because right from the kick off United went on the offensive and they maintained that pressure for the opening two and a half minutes when Cathal O’ Connor put them a goal up. Philly Hughes pressurised the keeper into a clearance and when the ball fell to O’ Connor he stroked it into an empty net from outside the area.

Derry commenced the second half displaying the form of league leaders and they camped in United’s half for the opening minutes. The pressure paid off when in the 52^nd  minute they were awarded their second penalty the referee adjudged that Alan Byrne handled the ball, a decision that Byrne strongly disputed. Emmet Friars gave Gabriel Sava no chance with his powerful strike to the bottom corner. Knowing that Whelan was on a yellow card Derry focused most of their moves into his corner but the Monaghan defender kept his cool. We now had some excellent football from both sides and United who were finding it tough to get anything going up front started to come back into the game forcing ! a number of corners. It was from one of such set piece that Philly Hughes came close, Cathal O’ Connor sent the corner kick along the ground to Hughes and his strike just went past the outside of the foot of the post.

But Derry got back on level terms in 78^th minute when Mark Farren made up for his penalty miss in the first half, the ball was sent in high from the touch line, Brian Gartland who appeared to have it covered lost his footing on the greasy surface which allowed the ball to go through to the unmarked Farren who volleyed it sweetly with his right foot and crashing it off the underside of the crossbar. The score appeared to have had a more positive effect on United than and instead of settling for a draw which would have been an excellent result they continued in attack mode, Dom Tierney and Stephen Mc. Crossan were beginning to have more of an influence in the centre of the pitch and their efforts paid off when United were awarded a penalt! y in 82nd minute when Philly Hughes was pulled back in front of the keeper and Hughes dispatched the spot kick himself for his 11^th league goal of the season. United were content to play keep ball at the corner flag and when David Mc. Daid through pure frustration chopped down Philly Hughes thereby reducing his side to 10 men in the final minute of normal play the points were United’s. Were it not for a slight deflection Hughes would have had a brace on 88 minutes when his strike from the front of the area lobbed the keeper and glanced off the top of the crossbar. There was some handbag stuff following Mc. Daid’s dismissal but order was quickly restored in what up to that point had been played in a good spirit. Derry City also brought a proud unbeaten record of 18 games unbeaten this season at the Brandywell, but on the night it was United’s record that prevailed.

Another positive from this game was the introduction on to the bench of two of our under 20’s – David Masterson (Clones) and Reece Mc.Enteer  (Kingscourt), they didn’t have to start but were available if required.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty, Eddie Mc. Callion, Emmet Friars, Mark Mc. Chrystal, Kevin Deery(Daniel Lafferty 74), Patrick Mc. Eleney, James Mc. Clean, Darren Mc. Cauley(Stephen Parkhouse 61), Mark Scoltock (David Mc Daid 61) Mark Farren, Thomas Mc. Bride.

Subs not used : Shane Mc. Eleney, Rory Kelly

Monaghan United :  Gabriel Sava, Paul Whelan, Shane Grimes, Alan Byrne, Brian Gartland, Dom Tierney, Cathal O’ Connor(Darragh Hanaphy 82), Stephen Mc. Crossan, Sean Brennan, Philip Hughes. Barry Clancy.

Subs not used : David Masterson, Anthony Costigan, Philip Donnelly, Reece Mc. Enteer

 Admission to Monaghan v  Dundalk game

Since this is a cup game admission conditions which are outside the clubs remit are different. Admission is €10 for adults and €5 for juveniles and children under, and Season Tickets are not valid for Cup games