This was a crunch match for both sides, Monaghan United were hoping to win the league something that is probably out of the reach of Cork City but a play off spot for promotion is definitely in their sights.  The smallest Turner’s Cross crowd of the season watched this game as it had to compete with Munster playing in the Heineken Cup.

With both defences dominating matters there were very few opportunities in the first half.

Davin O’ Neill had what could be described a chance after six minutes but  came closer to hitting the corner flag, a minute later Cathal O’Connnor had an attempt at the other end.  Strangely enough Cork’dangerman Graham Cummins was very quiet in the opening half considering that he was been watched by cross-channel scouts.  It was O’Neill who had the next attempt on the quarter hour mark with time on his side he should have done better. Five minutes Philly Hughes had his first attempt for United when he almost caught keeper Mc. Nulty with a speculative 30 yards free.  Mc. Nulty was even more fortunate later when his clearance hit Brennan in the back and the ball ricoc! het over the keeper and luckily for also over the crossbar. They were the highlights oof the opening half were there was very little between the sides   

Immediately on the resumption after half time Monaghan United commenced in determined mood and for the opening 13 minutes Cork could hardly get out of their half.  At that stage it looked like United was the most likely to score. On 13 minutes  they put together an excellent move which ended with Shane Grimes playing Philly Hughes through but his strike from 6 yards was snuffed out by Cork, the ball was cleared out of defence to Davin O’ Neill who in turn picked out Graham Cummins who appeared to be well offside, the United defence were expecting the Assistant Referee to put up her flag but by the time they realised her understanding to the offside rule was different to theirs it was too late and the Leagues number one scorer was bearing down on goal and! with only the keeper to beat he blasted it past a helpless Sava.  The goal brought Cork into the game and more importantly Cummins came to life, however United continued on the offensive but in their determination to get a goal back they were spreading themselves a little thinner at the back and were always in danger of conceding a second from Cork on the counter attack.  The biggest threat was coming from the goal scorer Cummins and he was denied twice by excellent saves from Sava. United continued to press and they finished the stronger and would feel unlucky in not having got at leas a share of the spoils.

The result in the end was disappointing but the performance is encouraging  for the remaining games of the season.

Hopefully they can return to winning ways on Monday against Salthill Devons.     

Cork City: Forasa Mark McNulty; Ian Turner, Gearoid Morrissey(Garrett Cambridge 61                                                                           0, Da! vin O’ Neill,Shane Duggan, Graham Cummins, George O’Callaghan, Billy Woods, Kalen Spillane, Gavin Kavanagh, Shane Barrett.
Subs not used:  Paul Deasy, Jonas Piechnik, Eoghan Lougheed, , Simon Holland


Monaghan United: Gabriel Sava; Aidan Collins, Shane Grimes Conor McMahon(Ian Mc. Neill 84), Brian Gartland, Dom Tierney, Cathal O’Connor (Aidan Lynch 73),, Alan Byrne, Sean Brennan, Philly Hughes (Darragh Hanaphy 81), Barry Clancy

Subs:  Darragh Hanaphy, Ian Mc. Neill Anthony Costigan