Wexford Youths v Monaghan United

Monaghan United have to make one of the longer trips when they travel south to Ferrycarrig Park for the second time this season. Back in March on their previous visit there United came away with a 1-0 win, although on the day United were the better side there wasn’t much between them. On the second meeting this time at Gortakeegan again the Monaghan side were winners and the final score of 4-2 might suggest a comfortable day at the office for the home side but to be honest Wexford were in with a chance of a share of the spoils until Karl Bermingham scored United’s 4^th from the penalty spot in injury time. Twice during an exciting encounter played on a greasy surface! United took a two goal lead and on each occasion Wexford pegged them back to one in a very entertaining encounter.

The graph representing both of these teams performances this season has differed greatly, whereas United’s has been rising steadily, Wexford’s appeared to be attracted to the base line, however recently it has started to rise and is now hovering in a mid-table position. Last weekend The Slaneysiders had an excellent 5-2 away victory against Mervue United, indeed it is their second time this season to strike 5, the previous occasion was against promotion contenders Limerick that game appeared to turn their season around. Two weeks ago they came from behind to share the points with Shelbourne, so they are in form at the moment.

What of Monaghan United? Last weekend they had a good 2-0 home win against a very troublesome Finn Harps. The game was probably in the balance until United scored the second in 86 minutes that said, United’s keeper hadn’t to make a noteworthy save all evening whereas as his opposite number for the Harps had to be alert on a number of occasions to deny Hughes, Byrne and Bermingham in particular. It was a game that was surprisingly lacking in atmosphere, perhaps one can blame the small turn out ( the smallest of the season) for that. Considering the recent performances, exploits and results by the United team one wonders what does it take to get Monaghan people out to support their side, the fixing of an International Frie! ndly in direct completion with the League fixtures doesn’t help.

Monaghan United have a good record at Ferrycarrig Park, the manager Mick Cooke would be hoping to bag all three points and keep the pressure on Derry City. But it won’t be easy, the other Mick – Wallace was disappointed not to have got a share of the spoils on his trip to Gortakeegan, on this occasion he will have home advantage and he would be confident of at least a point.

I believe that it will be a low scoring game with United getting probably the only but deciding score.

Monaghan United v Athlone Town

On the last occasion that these two sides met which was at Lisswollen and when the home side went four goals clear in the 65^th minute it looked like Monaghan United who had an impressive away record were going out with a bang. However five minutes later the visitors got one back and Lazarus like they awoke from the dead and believe it or not it was the home support who were calling for the final whistle because by the time it sounded United were back on level terms at 4-4 and were confining the play to the Athlone penalty area, if they had got another few minutes United would have collected the points. When Athlone last visited Gortakeegan at the start of the season the sides shared the points in a scoreless draw. At that stage it looked like this might be the midlands side ! season to advance to the Premier. It is hard to know what happened Athlone in the meantime, indeed when in that last game they were heading United 4-0 they deserved their lead, but probably they manner in which they responded to United getting the first goal back was a good indicator of their make up because never have I seen a team with a three lead panic before.

Athlone are managed by former United player –Brendan Place and fortunately he hasn’t had too much success against his old club. On present form of the two sides Monaghan should again collect all three points, however they have a tough away match before that on Friday against Wexford Youths so manager-Mick Cooke will be hoping to come away unscathed from Ferrycarrig Park.

Prediction home win.

Monaghan United 2- 0 Finn Harps

The points were wrapped up by Monaghan United when super-sub Darragh Hannaphy scored their second goal in the 86^th minute. Hanaphy was scarcely 5 minutes on the field when he chased down a ball from just inside the Harps half and out pacing everyone he bore down on goal the keeper Gavin Cullen advanced from his line but “the rabbit” kept his composure and slid the ball past him to the back of the net.

Philly Hughes had broken the deadlock for the home side in the 54^th minute. It was obvious that the manager Mick Cooke was very dissatisfied going in at half time with the sides level so for the second half United came out firing on all cylinders and after nine minutes of such sustained pressure Alan Byrne found Shane Grimes who in turn picked out Hughes in front of goal, he controlled the ball before turning two defenders and finishing. It was something that Hughes had been threatening since he had his first attempt as early as the 5^th minute of the game. Apart from Hughes in the first half Alan Byrne, Karl Bermingham, Barry Clancy an! d Cathal O’ Connor had created some excellent chances. This was a game again in which the back four of Collins, Grimes, Mc. Mahon and Gartland were superb, as a consequence the keeper Gabriel Sava didn’t have to make a real save through the game. Stephen Mc. Crossan had one of his best games of the season and laid on a good supply of ball for Hughes and Bermingham. Although having the goal advantage Mick Cooke once again demonstrated his confidence in the side by introducing three attack minded players in McNeill, Brennan and Hanaphy and his belief was well justified when they delivered that second and all important goal. Mick knows that the season could yet be decided on goal difference.

With Derry loosing to Waterford there is just four points separating Monaghan United from the leaders and still eight games to go. It’s all to play for.

Monaghan United: Sava, Collins, Grimes, Mc. Mahon, Gartland, Mc. Crossan, O’Connor (Mc. Neill 74), Byrne, Bermingham (Hanaphy 81), Hughes (Brennan 76), Clancy.

Subs not used: Whelan, Costigan.

Finn Harps: Cullen, Doherty. Crossan, Mailey. Mc. Hugh, Brolly, Shields Mc Laughlin68), Whoriskey, T. Bonner, Forker, Mc. Menamin (Walsh 68),

Subs not used : O’ Connor, Cowan, Gallagher.

Referee: P. Cashera

Under 12 – Boys Trials

Under 12 trials for boys will take place next Saturday commencing at Gortakeegan at 4.p.m.