Having had a bye last weekend   Monaghan United commence their season a week later than the other ten teams in the 1^st.Division. Their opponents at Gortakeegan are Waterford United. Having gone so close last season Monaghan would hope to complete the final step to promotion this time.

Prior to his recent and unexpected departure from the club Mick Cooke had assembled a very promising looking squad. Mick had to delay the selection of the panel as we weren’t sure until the last minute which Division we would be competing in. Remaining from last seasons excellent side are keeper Gabriel Sava, defenders Paul Whelan Aidan Collins, Shane Grimes, and 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 mates from Athl! one 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 Rover,. Shane Barrett, from 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.

United cause is further boosted by the completion of their management team of Roddy Collins and Aidan Lynch during the week.

Encounters between Monaghan and Waterford have been always keen 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 had been contesting the winning the the1st. Division title with Derry City but in the end were overtaken by Waterford United and then the two sides competed in the playoffs and again Monaghan collected the spoils.

The management crisis at the club would not have been ideal preparation for any game least of all one’s first of the season, but now that the matter is resolved hopefully we can use it to our advantage by commencing the season with a home win.

Kick off at Gortakeegan is 8.p.m.

Injuries:

None.

Suspensions:

Declan O’ Brien.

Roddy Collins signs as manager.

The Management Committee of Monaghan United has moved swiftly to counter any negative fallout from the departure of long serving manager Mick Cook and have announced his replacement with the renowned Roddy Collins.

Roddy’s last outing as a manager was two season ago with Cork City and many pundits had thought that had retired from the game to concentrate on his media work but it looks like he was merely taking a breather, he needs the action and now that his appetite is whetted he’s back and we hope he can wield some of his old magic.

Next Five Games

Manager Roddy Collins says “I would like to thank Management Committee at Monaghan United for giving me the opportunity to return to grassroots football as senior manager at the club. I look forward to joining forces with assistant manager Aidan Lynch. My predecessor Mick Cooke had assembled a strong panel of players before his departure. This squad contains a strong nucleus of last season’s impressive side who was so unlu! cky to miss out on promotion, they also reached the concluding stages of the FAI/FORD and EA Sports Cups.

 I will not make any rash promises but I believe that we have a side that can deliver as good a performance as last season and I promise that I won’t be found wanting in my efforts to achieve same and I know that the team is very much up for it.

Silverware may have eluded Monaghan United but otherwise they have a fine reputation. When many other clubs lost the run of themselves during the recent ‘boom’ of the Cetlic Tiger, United were one of the few clubs to emerge solvent because of shrewd financial dealings.  Like everyone else who has visited Gortakeegan recently I am impressed with the development. Already I find a very positive attitude both around Monaghan Town and at the club. In “Friends of Monaghan United” they have founded a very vibrant supporters club who I am looking forward to interacting with at both the home and away games.

As for this weeks game against Waterford United, I didn’t get to meet my new squad until yesterday (Wednesday) but first impressions are positive, they have been well prepared by Aidan Lynch and former manager Mick Cooke had done a good pre-season preparation with friendly games against some of the best Premier sides. Aidan is confident, I trust his judgement and I believe we can get a positive result against Waterford, although it’s never easy against a Stephen Hennessy side”.