Finn Harps v Monaghan United                                                                                                                                                                                  

Monaghan have their first away trip of the season when they travel to Finn Park to take on fellow Ulster side Finn Harps. Up until the past two season the Ballybofey venue was never a happy one for Monaghan but in the past two seasons things have got better for them. Last season when United were constructing an impressive away record Harps slipped down to Gortakeegan and took away all the points in the return game at Finn Park the sides shared the points in poor scoreless draw and in the final game at Gortakeegan United had a good 2-0 win.

Harps come into this game after a fortnight’s lay since their away game against Athlone was called off last week due to a water logged pitch, it’s not the time of the season that either management or team require a break. The Donegal side kicked off their season with 2-2 draw at home to Limerick, from accounts of the game it appears that it was two points lost rather than a point gained.  They took the lead twice the first time as early as the fourth minute but on each occasion the allowed Limerick back in.  The performance by both sides was typical of the first game of the season particularly since both were had a number of players making their debut with the clubs.

The fare served up at Gortakeegan between the Uniteds –Monaghan and Waterford was something similar to that at Ballybofey.  Monaghan with what looked like a comfortable 2-0 win but in fact that second goal came in 88th minute.  Monaghan survived a shaky start but grew into the game.  This was new manager Roddy Collins first time in the United dug out, he will be relieved to get first win of the season under his belt. United hadn’t the best of preparations for their opening game of the season especially loosing manager Mick Cooke the week before the kick off but credit to them and assistant manager/coach Aidan Lynch for this win. Indeed the statisticians were wondering had Monaghan ever won the opening game of the season. For this g! ame Collins will only be a week and half in charge but even in that short a space of time I believe we will see an improvement in the side.  United should extend their recent unbeaten run at Finn Park. 

Injuries:

None.

Suspensions:

Declan O’ Brien.

Ryan Brennan.

Roddy Collins signs as manager.

Last Result.

Next Five Games

Manager Roddy Collins says “There is an Irish proverb that translates as “A good start is half the work” and so it was on Friday night when Monaghan United commenced their new season with a home win.  Since it was my first game in charge I was easing myself into my new role as manager with the capable guidance of Aidan Lynch.  Although ! weather conditions weren’t ideal for either side as it was very treacherous underfoot, nonetheless I am generally pleased with what I have seen.  We have plenty of work ahead of us if we are going to be serious contenders in the 1^st. Division. I believe we have the material to achieve, however it will be another two or three games before I will be able to make a better assessment of what we have got.

This week we are away to Finn Harps, it’s a few seasons since I have been to Finn Park; it was always a fortress- a hard place to get a result.  Harps were generally buoyed on by a good support and I am sure things haven’t changed. In James Gallagher they have a young manager who has come up from their playing ranks and having been thrown in at the deep end two seasons ago he has earned the respect of the players.  I am told that there has always been a good competitiveness to games between United and Harps and this week’s game should be no exception.

A share of the points would be a good result but we will need to improve on last week’s performance and since it was our first competitive outing of the season I have no doubt but we will. Harps let two points slip from their grasp in their opening home game against Limerick and you can be sure that they will want to make up for that lapse.

I believe that we will have a good support as the Supporters Club “Friends of Monaghan United” are organising transport, they were definitely the 12^th man last week, I am looking forward to seeing and hearing them in Ballybofey”.

Yours in football,

Roddy Collins.