With Finn Harps holding leaders Derry City to a draw at the Brandywell, Monaghan United took to the field at Terryland Park knowing that a win here would put them in the driving seat against Derry next week end in their final game of the season.  As the old saying goes ‘ there are many a

slip between the cup and the lip’ never sounded more truer than in relation to Monaghan’s season and there were two major slips in this game. Who would have though going to this game that it would have such an effect on Monaghan United’s season, where they went from chasing the 1^st Division title to now hoping to ensuring a play-off spot in the final game

If their neighbours Galway United and Salthill Devon were capable of causing two big shocks of the weekend Mervue United were not going outdone either. That Salthill victory meant that this was a crunch game for Mervue as their continued presence in the league was dependant on them getting points from this match.

Looking back on the game it was the circumstances in particular leading up to Mervue’s winning goal that will be remembered.  Monaghan United were awarded a free in the centre of the field in their own half.  Shane Grimes who though the ball wasn’t in the right position to take the free appeared to tap it across to Aidan Lynch to take it but in doing so it was blocked by Mervue’s Rory Gaffney who was well within 10 yards of Grimes, both Gaffney and United’s defense hesitated but when the ref didn’t indicate for free to be retaken the Mervue man reacted the faster and tore down on goal with the defenders in pursuit and  putting what would be the winner past Sava.

The opening half was a scrappy affair and we didn’t have the first chance of the game until the quarter hour mark when Sava saved brilliantly from Gaffney, United broke down the field immediately and Cathal O’ Connor saw his fine strike skim the upright. Monaghan started to take more control of the game, but Mervue were making some good breaks out of defense and it was from such a break that the opening goal came on the half hour mark from the home team.  Shane Grimes did well to deflect Dave Goldbey powerful strike over the end line. Monaghan was punished from the resultant corner when Goldbey rose highest to head home. Fortunately the lead only lasted 3 minutes; man of the match Cathal O’C! onnor picked the ball up on half way and raced down the wing before delivering a perfect pass to the head of Aidan Collins. On the stroke of half time Monaghan felt that they had a good call for a penalty when Sean Brennan was clearly taken down in the area but the referee gave the free from outside. The free was the last action of a poor opening half

On the resumption Monaghan were playing well and had Mervue under constant pressure.  Don Tierney had a fine strike from 30 yards close to target. Whereas Monaghan didn’t have a corner in the opening half they had forced two in the opening minutes of this half.  Philly Hughes had an attempt from 6 yards and then an excellent run down the left by O’ Connor before cutting in to centre but his strike from in front of the area went very wide. Then disaster, Gaffney pounced when he scored what would be the winner on the hour mark. The goal came against the run of play but it was no less than Mervue deserved, it ensured that there! was constant pressure from Monaghan United for the remaining half hour and Mervue had only two attempts in that period which was a speculative strike from Mark Ludden which struck the crossbar.  In fairness to Mervue they didn’t go defensive and tried to go into attack at every opportunity. Philly Hughes was denied by the keeper Ger Hanley from a close in free, indeed one wondered why  Brennan didn’t leave more of these frees to Hughes. Sava made another brilliant save from Mike Collins in rare second half raid by Mervue.  Monaghan pressurized up to the end forcing four corners in injury time but they left it too late. And when Cathal O’ Connor left the field after 79 minutes they never had the same cutting edge thereafter.

Man of the match: Cathal O’ Connor.

 Mervue United: Ger Hanley, Noel Varley, Martin Conneely, Mike Elwood, Dan Cunningham, Alex Lee, Barry McEntee, Kevin Crehan, David Goldbey (Mike Collins75), Mark Ludden, RoryGaffney (MikeTierney 90).
Subs not  used: BryanKenny,EndaCurranEoinMartin
Yellow Cards: Noel Varley Rory Gaffney (‘Martin Conneely 79)

Monaghan United: Gabriel Sava, Conor McMahon (Ian McNeill 84), Aidan Lynch, Brian Gartland, Shane Grimes, Cathal O’Connor (Darragh Hanaphy 79), Don Tierney, Alan Byrne, Aidan Collins (Barry Clancy 79), Sean Brennan, Phillip Hughes.
Subs not used: Stephen Mc Crossan, PaulWhelan.

Referee: John Mc.Loughlin