Monaghan United  v  Waterford United

Monaghan United kick off the 2011 season when they entertain Waterford United at Gortakeegan next Friday.  Due to the fact that there are only eleven sides in the First Division one team will be idle each week and the first Bye of the season fell to Monaghan United last week end.  Waterford United on the other hand  commenced their season against Athlone Town which ended in a scoreless draw. Athlone appeared to be content to start the season with an away point and with a blanket defence frustrated the best efforts of the home side who had created most of the pressure and the subsequent attempts that followed.

Encounters between Monaghan and Waterford have been always tough affairs with the Munster side usually coming out the better, however in the past few seasons Monaghan somewhat turned the tables around and last year collected all points from the three encounters. Coming to the close of the season Monaghan who had been contesting the winning the the1st. Division title with Derry City was in the end overtaken by Waterford United and then the two sides competed in the playoffs and again Monaghan collected the spoils.

The recent and sudden departure of  manager Mick Cooke wrong footed everyone involved at Gortakeegan; however Cook’s legacy to the club was that he had assembled a strong squad before leaving. Remaining from last season excellent side are keeper Gabriel Sava, defenders Paul Whelan Aidan Collins, Shane Grimes, Conor Mahon, Alan Byrne and Dom Tierney are the sole survivors across the centre of the field and Sean Brennan survives up front. New signings are Jason Marks and Jake Rossiter both from Sporting Fingal, Andy Haran returns to the side together with club mate! s from Athlone Town Declan O' Brien and Shane Fitzgerald. Sean Brennan's brother Ryan comes from Drogheda United, Eric Foley from Shelbourne, Dave Rogers Limerick, Philip Byrne, Longford Town, Michael Isichei, Shamrock Rovers. Shane Barrett, Cork City. Jimmy Fallon has come up through the junior ranks at Monaghan United and John Reilly from Canadian side TC Hamilton Crotia concludes the panel.

In preparation for the new season Monaghan United took part in a number of pre-season friendlies against Premier Division sides UCD, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers and their performances in each looks promising for the incoming season.

United are in the concluding stages of appointing a new manager and hopefully will have one in place by Friday.  Such is the reputation acquired by United in the past few seasons that some very reputable names in soccer management in Ireland have put their names forward for the vacancy.  Since Mick Cooke’s departure, Aidan Lynch has taken charge of the side and they had a good performance against Fannad United under his care last Sunday.

Hopefully the good support that was there for Monaghan United will again be out in force for the 8.p.m. kick off.

Under 16’s

Monaghan United are champions

Monaghan United  3  -  2  Seatown

Monaghan United Under 16 team clinched the First Fix Premier League in fine style at Gortakeegan on Saturday last. The game was played at very strong pace throughout with both teams knowing that a win was vital. Captain for the day Fergal Mc. Mahon got the game started when he won the toss and decided to play against the breeze. After six minutes a great run by Conor Mc. Carthy and a perfect pass found prolific striker Shane Loughran who made sure Monaghan were in front with a fine strike.  Monaghan kept the pressure up but a mix up in defence allowed Seatown to equalise..  Monaghan pressed and when Paul Byrne was sprinting towards goal with only ! the keeper to beat he was cruelly fouled in the box.  Fergal Mc. Mahon coolly slotted home the resulting penalty.  Seatown pressed forward and an unfortunate incident where two defenders clashed resulted in a goal to Seatown.  Shane Owens picked up a serious mouth injury as a result of this incident.  There were good performances from all the Monaghan players.

For the second half cool head were needed to keep the team focused and this was provided by the manager Paddy Owens.  The second have proved to be equally as fast and intense as the first with both teams looking for the win.  With six minutes remaining Monaghan were awarded a free on the edge of the area and Shane Loughran slotted the ball past the Seatown keeper who was having an outstanding game.  Wild scenes of celebration erupted between both players and supporters alike. A minute later a fine save from United’s keeper denied the visitors.  The final whistl! e sounded and Monaghan United were league champions.  This was no more than our players deserved as they had put in a great effort all season.  The game was marshalled by the experienced referee Paul Oliphant

This is the first silverware to be collected by Monaghan United and we hope there is much more to come.

The team: Conor Forde, Shane Owens, Fergal Mc. Mahon, Shane Power, Conor Lavelle, Shane Loughran, Conor Mc. Carthy, Conor Burns, Paul Byrne, Dillon Kivelan, Robert Zeiciskas,

Managers : Paddy Owens and James Forde.

Sympathy - Mrs. Nora Gilsenan R.I.P.

We extend our sympathy to Paddy Owens on the recent death of his mother-in-law, Mrs Nora Gilsenan, Carrickmacross. May she rest in peace.