Airtricity League of Ireland 1st. Division

Monaghan United  v  Salthill Devon.

Salthill Devon provides the opposition at Gortakeegan on Friday night next.  It is only the Galway’s side second season in the 1^st. Division.  They did well to retain their right to play in this Division and would hope to enhance their position this season. Their admission to the league meant that there are three League of Ireland sides  now in Galway City, but the set up that Salthill Devon have out at Drom which includes a fine youth academy and excellent playing facilities means that they are by no means the poor neighbours of Galway United and Mervue United.

In the first outing against them at Drom last season Monaghan United had a comfortable 6-1 win but by the time of the third encounter between the sides for the season Salthill had shown a good improvement in form and it wasn’t surprising that they stayed up.

This is Monaghan United’s third game of the season they have taken 4 out of a possible 6 points. This is an excellent performance as they have a number of new players in the panel and a new manager in Roddy Collins.  In the last game against Finn Harps they had to start without a number of players and the side was further depleted when both Conor Mc.Mahon and Alan Byrne sustained injuries during the game. United will go into this game without a full squad but the manager should still be in a position to put a strong enough side.  An encouraging aspect from last weeks game was the introduction of local Monaghan lad Kevin Loughran and with Garbhan Mc. Kenna on the bench it looks like the manager has noticed the local talent coming through. Against Finn Har! ps, Monaghan United were slow to start but when they did get out of the traps they played some excellent football.  Roddy Collins is continuing the style of football that the side demonstrated so well last season.  They are keeping the ball on the ground and retaining possession.  With just two games played Collins is still finding his way, but even with only two games one can see the progress.

On another positive note the support is getting behind the club, this was something that was beginning to build at the end of last season and there was a good following at Finn Park.

Forecast – Home win.

Kick off at Gortakeegan 8.p.m.