Last week end in each of these sides most recent outings there were a lot of similarities, both were playing against fellow promotion contenders, if Monaghan United were stunned by Waterford’s 3^rd. minute opener, Cork City Foras were even hit faster when they found themselves behind in the opening seconds straight from the kick off, each side would go a further goal behind in their respective games.  However the response from the teams was totally different, apart from a few chances Cork could never get back into the game whereas Monaghan went on to completely overrun Waterford United.  Even before United conceded their second goal on the half hour mark they were coming back into the game and should have at least got one back before the interval ,the best chance falling to Philly Hughes w! hen he hit the post when from what  looked from the press box  easier to score, but then they all look easier from there.  United were then fortunate not to have been three down in the closing minutes of the opening half.  The home supporters were treated to an exhibition of attacking football from United for the whole of the second half and a feast of four goals to cap the performance.

If one wants a bench mark against which to judge how the Monaghan United team have advanced under Mick Cooke then their results against Waterford United might be the one to select.  Although Waterford have failed to get a victory at Gortakeegan since 2000/01 season it was a different story at the RSC where United suffered some of their heaviest defeats in Cook’s rein culminating in a 6-0 humiliation at the start of last season.  Ironically it was after that defeat that Mick turned around his team performance, its graph has steadily risen since.

If United could continue to produce that second half performance against Waterford then they would not have to worry about how the results in the remaining games involving their fellow contenders, but they still have to meet three of these same contenders, Cork City, Limerick and Derry City each of whom will believe that they will be capable of getting the required result.

With only four games left and ten points behind leaders Derry City winning the league might be going out of Cork’s reach, however a play off place is well within their compass, that is a big incentive for them.  Let’s not forget that were it not for events away from the playing field Cork City would be still plying their skills in the Premier Division. This game will be in Cork’s fortress at Turners Cross, United have breached it twice this season taking all six prisoners in the form of points and were also victorious at Gortakeegan all three games were decide by just one. Cork people don’t like doing second in any code so Mick Cooke and his charges can expect a backlash and the achievement of a hat-trick of wins in the hallowed grounds of Turners Cross would be a big ask.

In the first half against Waterford United, Monaghan lost Karl Bermingham and Brian Gartland through injury, Brian should make a full recovery before the weekend unfortunately Karl even if he recovers  will still miss the game as he is suspended due to his accumulation of yellow cards. Otherwise Mick Cooke will have a full squad to select from.