Waterford United    Monaghan United

After competing in their respective games last Friday night side had long the wait and recover for this crunch qualifier at the RSC,  Waterford who finished in second, one place ahead of Monaghan where entitled to home advantage for this crunch qualifier.

A strong breeze blowing down the field one felt  should ensure  that it would be the proverbial game of two halves but that is not how it turned out as Monaghan United were mostly in control throughout . Waterford went into the game after a good away win to Shelbourne, whereas Monaghan went down to a 81^st minute goal to Derry city after a very good performance.

Monaghan had to play into the teeth of the strong breeze in the opening  but they made little of it.  With some sublime ground football they had Waterford on the back foot through out the half.  However the first two chances of the game fell to the home side, first up after 10 minutes danger man  Willie John Kearney was played through with a fine pass by John Kearney and then 10 minutes a good pass from Liam Kearney was headed on by Paul Murphy but Sava gathered well under the crossbar.  But the best chance of the opening quarter of an hour fell to Sean Brennan when he was played through with a chipped pass from Philly Hughe! s, Brennan was clean through on goal but the keeper Burns brought off a good save.

Monaghan United broke the deadlock on 28^th minutes, after an attempt from close range by Philly Hughes was deflected over the end line, Cathal ‘ Connor took the corner, the keeper totally flapped at the ball, Aidan Lynch headed off the crossbar it rebounded to him and he made no mistake with the second attempt.  Monaghan well deserved the lead and they continued to control play for the remainder of the half.  Then in injury time Gabriel Sava brought off an excellent save when got down to deny Liam Kearney who was played through with a sublime pass, Sava deflected the ball over the bar.

In the opening minute of the second half Monaghan United almost had their second goal when Cathal O’ Connor hit the wood work and from the rebound both Barry Clancy and Brian Gartland had attempts but Waterford survived. United did get that all important goal after 58 minutes, a quick ball out of defence, Barry Clancy raced down the wing beating the offside and from the edge of the 18 yard  with a pinpoint cross he found the head of the diving Philly Hughes and from 6 yards he buried the ball.

Seven minutes later Waterford United got one back against the run of play, Gabriel Sava with a brilliant reflex save deflected Liam Kearney strike, but the Waterford man was not to be denied and from the resultant corner he got his foot to the ball to finish to the back of the net.  The goal brought Waterford into the game and it took a string of outstanding saves from Gabriel Sava to deny them the equaliser. Aidan Lynch picked up an knock and on 69 minutes he was replaced by Paul Whelan. The Monaghan supporters wondered would Mick Cooke make his usual substitution and bring on Darragh Hanaphy to replace Philly Hughes for the final 15 minutes, fortunately on this occasion he didn’t as it was Hughes who for Monaghan put the fixture beyond doubt on 84 minutes with a magnificent 25 yard free after Br! ennan was taken down.

In injury time Brennan should have made it four when he struck the upright.

It was a fine football performance from Monaghan where they controlled the game from start to finish and beating Waterford United for the 4^th time this season.  The excellent away support savoured a fine display of football from their team and one wondered had they been there oftener throughout the season would there have been a need for this fixture.

Monaghan United advance to meet Bray Wanderers in a two-leg promotion qualifier the first game being at Gortakeegan on Friday night with the return one on Monday night, not a lot of time to recover.

With the discovery of their seasons good performance in the last two games Monaghan United are displaying the form that should ensure that they will be a match for Bray.

Waterford United : K. Burns,  A. Carey ,K. Murray, S. Long, M. Coady, T. Purcell(P Walsh 700, S. Barrett(Hayes 86), J.Kearney, L. Kearney, P. Murphy, W.J. Kiely.

Subs not used: C. Konopka, K. Watters.

Monaghan United :

G.Sava, C. Mc. Mahon, S. Grimes, A. Lynch (P Whelan 69), B. Gartland, D. Tierney, C. O’ Connor, A. Byrne, S. Brennan, P. Hughes, B. Clancy

Subs not used : S. Mc. Crossan, , D. Hanaphy, I. Mc. Neill. D. Quirke.

Referee : Paul Mc.Loughlin.