Airtricity League – 1^st Division.

Monaghan United  v   Longford Town  

After a rare defeat of the season on Friday last against Shelbourne Monaghan United bounced back in style with an important win in the Semi-Final of the EA Sports Cup against Dundalk.

This will be Longford’s second visit of the season to Gortakeegan, in the previous encounter United were coasting to 2-0 victory with seven minutes to go.  Unfortunately the home side took their eye off the ball and in those closing minutes Longford got back to make it 2-2.  In the meantime Monaghan United had a comprehensive 3-0 win on their last visit to Flancare Park

Longford Town come into this game after picking up three valuable points against Finn Harps, Although Longford dominated the proceedings they had to wait until 84^th minute for Peter Hynes to score the only goal of the game. It is a frustrating time for the Longford followers; they see their team taking valuable points off the stronger sides only to leak them to the weaker ones.  At the moment Monaghan are regarded as one of the stronger sides, so will have to be aware of Longford’s reputation of accounting for such sides, so let there be no doubt that Mid-Landers have them in their sights and would fancy their chances.

Monaghan United played all but the opening three minutes of the Shels  game with ten men and on their overall performance in that game Monaghan were unlucky in the end not to have got at least a share of the points.  Against Dundalk they were dealt a physiological blow when their captain picked up a knock in the warm up as a consequence they were nervous in the centre of the field for the opening 15 minutes  but thereafter played with their usual style.

Apart from loss of Alan Byrne and Sean Brennan absent through suspension and the return of captain Dom Tierney and Aidan Lynch a bonus for the manager Mick Cooke again who will have a strong squad to pick from, so on present form United should be recording another home win.

Injuries :-  none,        

Suspensions :  Alan Byrne, Sean Brennan.

Previous 5 results

Next 5 Games

Manager Quotes “ It was great to come out on top of such an excellent game against Dundalk in which both sides gave it their all. As usual with Oriel Derbys there was little between the teams but we merited the win in the end.  The trouble with football you don’t get much time to bask in the glory as the next game is always coming down the line. Our opponents Longford Town would be delighted if got consumed in the euphoria of the Semi-Final win.  However I was delighted for our loyal band of followers that they got a result they could savour.

Longford Town have had a bit of an up and down season, they have been stealing the points of the more fancied sides only to squander them against lesser opposition. Some of their results show that they are a threat and their confidence coming into this game will be boosted by their fine win against Finn Harps last week.

We have had just three days to recover from our tough encounter against Dundalk, there is no better antidote for fatigue than winning so once again I believe that the lads will be up for it.  Injury wise we came away from the game ok apart from a few knocks which I believe not to be too serious.  There is no reason why we shouldn’t continue displaying our present good form and if we do so the points should stay at home.

There were many new faces at the game on Tuesday night, I hope that the fare that they saw will have caused them to have bitten the bug and they will be on board for the rest of the season. The roar that went up for the goal will long live in my memory”