After last weekends results it would now look that Derry City main reason in coming to Gortakeegan will be to lift the silverware for winning the 1^st Division League, but with an expected large following no doubt they will hope to go out on a winning note and avenge their defeat by Monaghan United in their last encounter at the Brandywell. Irrespective of the weekend results this was always going to be a crucial game for United.  A week ago we were looking at this game hoping for the victory that would achieve the 1^st Division championship for United, but like politics a week is a long time in football so instead of being champions it is now survival that is on the agenda. It is a must win game for United and they will also be hoping for results elsewhere to go in ! their favour.

Up until recent results this has still been a fine season for Monaghan United they have had their highest total of points every accumulated by a United side and for the latter part of the season they were disputing top position with Derry City and up to last week were very much on course for winning the league title, a victory in this game against Derry should ensure a play off position for Premier Division football next season. Some will look at the defeat by Mervue United and let it overshadow the wins both at home and away against sides like Derry, Waterford, Cork and Limerick and also there was the excellent run in both cups with wins over Premier Division sides Bohemians and Dundalk.

One wonders what happened United that having played so well all season why did they start to leak points recently , did taking part in the two ‘cups’ drain them physically and mentally, well the argument against that point is that after exiting those two competitions  they displayed some of their best football of the season against Waterford United. 

Monaghan United will have to put the disappointment of Terryland Park behind them. On the positive side going into this game the manager Mick Cooke has a strong panel to select from apart from Sean Brennan who is suspended for this game and hopefully Karl Bermingham will have recovered from injury. Honours have been evenly shared between the sides with each of them having won a game. Indeed Monaghan United’s victory against Derry at the Brandywell was one of the sides’ better performances of the season and it was the first defeat for the Candy-stripes in 18 outings at home.

Derry had great start to the season and looked to be running away with the league, they were looking very much like the Premier Division side that they were until last season when they dropped down to the 1^st. Division for reasons away from the playing pitch, then in the final third of the season they started to leak the points but the good start has stood to them and they have done enough recently to ensure promotion.

Unlike Monaghan United, Derry City could always boast of a fine fan support both home and away. One wonders had United a decent support to encourage them last week end when they needed a lift would it have not made a difference.  Hopefully the home crowd will turn out in strength for this final game of the season, the 12^th man might be what is required to make the difference and irrespective of the result of this game, for the excellent season and the enjoyment they gave in many games both at home and away the management and team deserve a big support on the night.

Kick off at Gortakeegan is at the earlier time of 7.45.p.m.