Under 15’s

Monaghan United progress in National Cup

 

Monaghan United 2    - 0     St. Michaels (Tipperary)

 

Monaghan United were hosts to St. Michaels from South Tipperary in the National Cup at Gortakeegan on Sunday last. Captain for the day Kevin Loughran got the game under way after a good warm up in excellent conditions. Although Monaghan United were playing with a full strength squad they knew that they were up against a real challenge. 

 

Both sides created plenty of chances in the opening half, but despite their best efforts their it remained scoreless at the interval. Some fine football especially from Evan Doherty and Shane Loughran in midfield ensured that Monaghan were still in with a good chance. A good team talk from the managers and coach got United into apositive frame of mind for the second half and having returned to the field the ever reliable Fergal Mc. Mahon produced some fine defensive work to keep a clean score sheet. Like the first half it remained scoreless and extra time was required.

 

During the first period of the additional time Monaghan eventually got the required break through following good work from Shane Loughran, he sent Conor Mc. Carthy clear and his crisp left footed strike found the net. St Michaels applied a lot of pressure to get back on terms and bring the game to penalties and it took a super save from Conor Forde to prevent them from doing so. This proved to be the turning point of the game and United doubled their scoring in the second period of extra time with an excellent strike from Shane Loughran.

 

This was a very tough encounter for Monaghan United who had to raise the standard of their game to ensure that they would progress to the last 32 of the National Cup. Each player produced a person best performance to achieve this win and it would unfair to award the man of the match to any one of them as each would be entitled to that honour on the day.

After the game both teams and their mentors enjoyed some refreshments in the Clubhouse.

It was a fine achievement by United who now face Tullamore in the next round.

All players are encouraged to keep up the training in order to be able to reproduce it on match day. 

 

Under 15's

UNITED SWIM PAST SEATOWN

MONAGHAN UNITED 5 - 0 SEATOWN

 

Monaghan United hosted Seatown at Gortakeegan on Saturday last. This was a return match which saw Seatown victorious in the previous meeting. A changed format to the team was opted for by the management team. 

 

The match was played in perfect conditions and play got under way as captain for the day Conor Mc. Carthy won the toss and decided to play against the sun. Both teams played very attractive football with Monaghan applying the most pressure; this was rewarded with a free just on the edge of the area after a great run by Conor Mc. Carthy. Fergal Mc. Mahon took a great free kick which opened the scoring for Monaghan which they held onto until the half-time interval.

A good team talk by coach Brian Finnegan and both managers and Monaghan took to the field with a point to prove. Continued pressure from Monaghan and good football from Evan Doherty saw Shane Loughran score a fine goal. Kevin Loughran opened his account to make it 3-nil for United. More pressure from the home side saw Kevin Loughran score a peach of a goal for his second to the delight of the home support.

There were good performances from Shane Owens and Shane Power. Goalkeeper Conor Forde was steady throughout the game. Monaghan concluded the scoring when Kevin Loughran completed his hat-trick in the dying moments

This was a great all-round performance from Monaghan in contrast to that of last week which only could have been described as puke football. Each player gave a man of the match performance but with his hat-trick Kevin Loughran collected that accolade.

Team:  Conor Forde, Fergal Mc. Mahon, Shane Owens, Shane Loughran, Conor Forde, Evan Doherty, Benin Devlin, Conor Mc. Carthy, Shane Power, Kevin Loughran, Conor Lavelle, Paul Byrne, Pauric Murphy, David Mc. Bride, Ryan Shields, Kyle Byrne, Michael Galligan,

Managers: Paddy Owens, James Forde,

Coach: Brian Finnegan

 

 

UNDER 11'S DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

On Saturday morning (6th February) the Under 11's meet to play in the County Monaghan United 11's development league.  All players must be at Monaghan United Regional Development Centre no later than 11am to meet coaches. 

 

Please ensure that you have shinguards and moulded football boots. 

 

UNDER 15'S DRAW WITH WALSHESTOWN 

Walshestown 3     -    3   Monaghan United

 

Monaghan United under 15's were on their travels again last weekend when they went to Walshestown (Co. Louth). Monaghan were missing two players and the most of the rest of the team were suffering the ill-effect of some extra curricular activities which were neither encouraged or sanctioned by the team management.

Monaghan got off to an ideal start with a great goal from Benin Devlin. The score was created by Conor Forde who made good progress down the right wing and then his perfect pass picked out Devlin to latch onto and finish well. A score that should have inspired United and spurred them on instead appeared to have the opposite effect and they went to sleep. The home side took full advantage of the visitors' lack of enthusiasm and they scored a hat-trick of goals before the halftime whistle sounded. The Monaghan side trooped of the field for the half-time interval looking more like Dolls than Guys. One would have liked to have been the proverbial fly on the United dressing room wall for the half-time team talk. Whatever stern warnings and admonishments were uttered by the management had the desired effect. 

 

Just as in the first half it was Benin Devlin who got United off the scoring mark with a brilliant goal, this time he did all the hard work himself when he rounded three defenders before burying the ball in the back of the net to complete his brace. Monaghan upped the tempo and had some excellent attempts on target particularly from Evan Doherty and David Mc. Bride, one converted effort was ruled off side for what appeared a harsh decision but it was no surprised when they got back on parity with a fine strike from Shane Loughran after a crisp pass from captain for the day- Fergal Mc. Mahon. Monaghan were now in control but they wouldn't add to the score because shortly after they scoring the equaliser the referee blew his whistle for full time so they had to settle for a share of the spoils.

This was a tough encounter for both teams and it shows nothing can be taken for granted in this league. We must keep training hard and work for each other on the pitch.

Man of the match was Benin Devlin.

UNDER 11'S DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

The Under 11's County Development League resumes this Saturday.  Fixtures are not yet available but a text will be sent out notifying players as to time they need to be at the Monaghan United Regional Development Centre.  Players must have shin-guards, and only mouldies and non-metal studded football boots will be allowed. 

 

 

MONAGHAN UNITED UNDER 15'S DRAW TO ALBION

 Albion Rovers   2 -   2   Monaghan United

 Monaghan United Under 15's travelled to Monasterboice in Co. Louth to play local team Albion Rovers.  This was their first game after the extended Christmas season due to the inclement weather.  This was a top of the table clash and Monaghan were playing with a near full strength team with the exception of Michael Galligan who was hospitalised lately.  Play got under way when captain for the day Shane Owens won the toss and decided to play against a very strong sun.  

 

Monaghan were playing the better football and were unfortunate to go a goal behind in the 29th minute which left the score 1 nil in favour of the hosts at half time.  Monaghan re-grouped during the break and shortly after the re-start, they found themselves on level terms after Conor Lavelle got on the end of a Fergal McMahon cross and rattled the back of the net. 

 

Monaghan took advantage of this and on the 67th minute they were in front thanks to a Benin Devlin goal after a scramble in the goal mouth.  Then the Monaghan players seemed to stand still as Albion came up the field and levelled the game in the 74th minute.  The referee then blew the whistle after 80 minutes and both teams took a point. 

 

On reflection this was Monaghan's game for the winning but we just lacked concentration at vital times.   There were good displays from Shane Owens, Shane Loughran and Conor Lavelle.  Man of the match went to Fergal McMahon who had another great game.   The management team wish Michael Galligan a speedy recovery and thank him for his words of encouragement by phone when we were on our way home from Monasterboice. 

 

CONOR HEADS TO QATAR

Congratulations to Monaghan United Under 15 goalkeeper-Conor Forde who has been selected for the Ireland under 15 team. Conor will travel with the Irish squad to Qatar on Saturday next 12th December where they will have two friend lies at the Aspire Academy of Sport on the 15th and 17th December. This is a great personal achievement for Conor who has worked hard at his game over the years.

Congratulations to his coaches at Monaghan United for encouraging and developing Conor's skills. Conor who hales from Tydavnet is the son of James (who is one of the underage coaches at Kingspan Century Park) and Lucy Forde, he is a third year pupil at Coláiste Oiriall in Monaghan.We wish Conor every success now and in the future and we hope he follows in the footsteps of Aaron Mc. Carey who starts his goalkeeping career at Wolves in January.

 

National Cup

Rock Celtic 1 - 6 Monaghan United

Monaghan United travelled to the seaside resort of Blackrock County Louth for this National Cup game which had been postponed earlier in the season due to the inclement weather. This was a late fixture and captain for the day Conor Lavelle got the game underway and decided to play against the strong breeze. He urged his players to leave their handbags behind in Monaghan from the previous Sunday and play some football.United efforts were awarded with a fine header by Evan Doherty into the back of the net which settled the team down.

Rock Celtic did manage to get a goal back but was quickly cancelled out by superb lob from Conor Mc Carthy. Another goal soon followed after good work by the two Loughrans leaving Shane with the final tap in to take the score to 3-1 at half time.On the resumption Monaghan had the sea breeze at their backs and they kept up the tempo of the first half and when David Mc. Bride hit their fourth of the day the points were clinched for United. But their scoring free wasn't finished yet a fine strike from Conor Mc.Carthy made it 5-1 and Fergal Mc. Mahon concluded the scoring with a great goal to make the final score 6-1 in United's favour.

This was a fine all round display from Monaghan United which allowed them to advance in the National Cup. There were other excellent displays from Ryan Shields, Conor Lavelle and Shane Owens who picked up Man of the Match award.

Team:- Ryan Shields, Conor Lavelle, Kevin Murray, Shane Owens, Fergal Mc.Mahon, Conor Mc. Carthy, Michael Galligan, Shane Loughran, David Mc. Bride, Evan Doherty, Kevin Loughran, Subs:- Conor Forde, Pauric Murphy, Paul Byrne, Benin Devlin

Managers:- Paddy Owens, James Forde, Coach:- Brian Finnegan

 

UNDER 15'S BEAT WALSHESTOWN 5-1

Monaghan United got back on track in their league campaign with a home win over Walshestown on Saturday. United looked very confident from the off, taking control of the ball in midfield and dictating the play. The first goal came from a well worked ball down the left hand wing and then a great cross by Michael Galligan saw Walshestown defender put the ball into his own net.

 

Walshestown however always looked dangerous and were unlucky not to draw level with a wonderful shot which came off the crossbar. Monaghan have a habit of conceding a goal after scoring but on Saturday that came to an end with a well worked second goal in the form of a through pass from midfielder Shane Loughran which let Evan Doherty through on goals and he slipped it past the Walshestown 'keeper .

 

Monaghan were dominant at this stage and scored two more goals before half time a second by Evan Doherty and a good strike by forward Benin Devlin which left the halftime score Monaghan 4 Walshestown 0. The second half was a different affair with Walshestown knowing they had to score first to get themselves back into the game and they duly obliged with a great strike from one of their forwards who was proving to be a bit of a handful. Monaghan lost a bit of the flair they had in the first half and were not creating as many chances.

 

Walshestown kept pushing forward and were awarded a penalty half way through the second half but a great save by Monaghan 'keeper Conor Forde kept them at bay. The penalty miss spurred Monaghan on and they looked to put the game out of reach for Walshestown which they did 10 minutes from time with a corner from Michael Galligan and a great header from defender Fergal Mc Mahon. The final score was Monaghan UTD 5 -1 Walshestown and the man of match was Evan Doherty.

Team: Conor Forde, Conor Lavelle, Kevin Murray, Shane Owens, Michael Galligan, Shane Loughran, Evan Doherty, Conor Forde, Benin Devlin, Kevin Loughran, Ryan Shields, Pauric Murphy, Paul Byrne and David Mc Bride.

Managers: Paddy Owens and James Forde Coach: Brian Finnegan