Monaghan United FC

MONAGHAN UNITED LONGFORD TOWN

Monaghan United’s first home game of the season sees the arrival of Longford Town FC at Gortakeegan this Friday night. The Midland’s side come into this game after a good opening home win to Finn Harps. In that game they came from behind after conceding an 8^th minute goal, however in the second half they appeared to up the ante with a three goal scoring spree between the 55^th and 69^th minutes, Harps pulled a goal back in the 69^th.

After two poor seasons Longford are expected to go well this year, their trouble wasn’t just on the field, in that time frame they changed manager on 5 occasions, two of those changes took place last season and they will be hoping for a more settled period since Tony Cousins took over the reins in December. Funnily most of the managers appeared to move on after playing Monaghan.

One of the first problems encountered by Cousins on taking over was that not a single player was under contract. Only four players are retained from last season-goalkeeper Aaron Shanahan, defenders Kevin Cronin and Michael Lee and striker Derek Glynn. Among the players that have been signed up are John Lester, Philip Byrne, Derek Tyrell, Chris Deans, Peter Hynes, Gary Cronin and former Mon, Dave Freeman the latter two are making a return visit to the club. With the coming together of Peter Hynes and Derek Glynn, Longford undoubtedly will have potentially the most potent strike force in the league. Glynn brought last season to a close with a hat trick against no less an opposition than Shelbourne.

Monaghan United opened their season with a fine draw at Tolka Park against Shelbourne and having the lead for so long throughout the game, were unfortunate not to have collected all three points.

Playing probably the best side in the Division, a team who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, Shelbourne were a good guide for United’s manager Mick Cooke as to how strong his side is. For 75% of this game United were more than a match for their Dublin hosts and should have added to the scoreline and killed the game off.

Shels finished strongly and got a goal back in the last ten minutes when United were playing with 10 men. If our opponents Longford have a good strike force, so do United. Mons fans can believe that in Karl Bermingham and Philip Hughes, United have a duo that will more than cause trouble for most defences this season.

Kick off at Gortakeegan is 8pm on Friday night and all true fans of football in the County will be making their way to the Newbliss Road ground to cheer on what is possibly the strongest team United have had in a long long time. McNallly Crane hire are match sponsors for the game and McCrystal Accountants are Match Ball Sponsors. Monaghan United FC would like to thank both sponsors for their kind support

Shelbourne 1 - 1 Monaghan United

Monaghan United kicked off their new season at Tolka Park against last years Division 1 runner ups Shelbourne a side who have to be regarded as one of this season strongest outfits. United finished last season on a very strong run and hoped to continue this into the new season.

In the opening quarter of an hour neither side were able to stamp their seal on the play but it was obvious that United were gaining in confidence and their plan appeared to be to whip the ball in fast to Hughes and Birmingham who were proving to be a handful for the home defence. At the other end of the field the back four of Mc Mahon, Lynch, Gartland and new comer Costigan were coolness personified.

Both Clancy and O’ Connor were raiding down the wings and getting a good supply of passes to the front two. Monaghan created pressure from a number of early corners.

It was a bit of a shock for the home support but not a surprise when their side went behind in the 18th minute. The score followed a good spell of pressure from United and Shels couldn’t get the ball out of their half, Hughes headed the ball on to Bermingham and from 25 yards out he bore down on goals and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper and last seasons top striker was off the mark for the new season.

Shels didn’t have a first good chance until the 23rd. minute when Gareth Whelan was picked out at the far post by a long pass from the wing he headed past the opposite post , it was a great chance.. At the other end Gartland had a headed chance wide of the target following a corner. A strong run by former United player-Paul Shiels saw him beat a number of opponents before the danger was finally defused and a few minutes later Shiels again came close from 6 yards out.

Shels were starting to come more into the game but United were controlling mid field through skipper-Dom Tierney and Stephen Mc. Crossan, indeed their keeper hardly had to make a decent save in the opening 45 minutes. The last chance of the half fell to Karl Berminghan but unfortunately he didn’t get a strong enough connection on his effort.

On the restart Shels manager rung the changes by making two substitutions up front bringing on Gorman and Hughes for Cassidy and Corcoran, these changes appeared to have more of a positive effect on Monaghan than the opposition and for the 3rd. quarter of this game they played Shelbourne off the pitch.

However the first chance after the restart did fall to the home side on 50 minutes when they were awarded a free from outside the corner of the area, Eric Foley's powerful strike seemed to deceive the keeper who was lucky to get a hand on it and deflect it out for a corner- it was a taste to what would come later.

For the next quarter of an hour it was United who would create the chances, the best of which came from Karl Bermingham (twice) and Philip Hughes, then Hughes ran on to a pass and with a brilliant strike found the back of the net but the assisant official ruled him off side; it looked a harsh decision which even the many fair minded Shels supporters thought was a legitimate score.

Disaster came in the form of the sending off of United’s Barry Clancy in 76th.minute, indeed there was some confusion as to what the sending off exactly was for, some in the crowd though it must be for a ‘last man tackle’ Clancy was led to believe from the officals that it was for a second yellow- the only problem was he hadn’t received a first one.

The Clancy incident resulted from the commencement of a sustained period of pressure by Shels which in 80th minute was rewarded with a free kick from a yard outside the box, this free resulted from the keeper handling the ball outside his area, having caught the ball just inside his momentum took him outside.

Again Eric Foley stepped up and his powerful delivery found the top corner of the net with the keeper well beaten. The United 10 men had ten minutes to hold on for a share of points, but they didn’t sit back and probably in the closing minutes finished the stronger of the two sides continuing to cause pressure on Shels defence.

Interestingly Mick Cooke used no subs even when down to ten.

The travelling fans would have settled for a share of the points going into this match but in reality they could have taken all three points and if Hughes goal had not been disallowed then they would have achieved that.

It was an impressive performance against probably the best side in the league and bodes well for the season ahead.

Team: Kelly, C.Mc. Mahon, Costigan, Lynch, Gartland, Tierney, O’Connor, Mc. Crossan, Bermingham, Hughes, Clancy.

Subs: Flynn, Hanaphy, Mc. Kevitt, Sava, Brennan

MONAGHAN UNITED V FINN HARPS

Next week Finn Harps are our visitors in the Airtricity League 1st Division with the usual kick off at Gortakeegan of 8.p.m.

This “Local Derby” should be an interesting encounter for United and with Finn Harps having strengthened their side forcefully in the close season, Harps will be more up to the level they were in previous seasons than the poor form beset them in 2009.

Finn Harps are being tipped as a dark horse in the league this year, and indeed the Donegal men are often a tough prospect, therefore, this coupled with United’s stronger side, will hopefully provided the Mons faithful with an exciting and entertaining game of football.

MINI PLAYERS – SENIOR MENTORS PROGRAMME

FLYNN'S FLYERS - Niall Flynn & James Clarke put them through their paces

Monaghan United have developed an exciting new opportunity for the children of the area, irrespective of what club they play at, to get some extra coaching and a chance to work with Professional and Semi-Professional Airtricity League footballers.

HANAPHY'S HEROES - Darragh encourages his group

The first session took place on Sunday 7^th March at Gortakeegan with many children showing up from clubs like Cootehill Harps, Dromore Youths, Killylough, Newbliss, Sporting Youths and Monaghan United all participating and enjoying the sessions which were delivered by Senior Squad Players Darragh Hanaphy, Anthony Costigan, Conor McMahon, Cathal O’Connor, Niall Flynn, Dean McMahon and James Clarke.

McMAHON'S MENACES - Dean teaches his group a thing or two

The Children who participate in these sessions will also get the chance to come into the dressing rooms prior to Airtricity League games, meet the players, have their Mentor help them to see what live is like for a footballer, they can also act as mascots to lead out the senior team in the League at Gortakeegan on match days and meet any visiting dignitaries

Further sessions will be organised in the coming months and any other Children from different clubs wishing to take part will not be recruited for Monaghan United at these sessions as they are purely to help build the link between a child playing football and the pathway to Senior Level football in Ireland and beyond.

We hope that all clubs in the area will continue to support this initiative as it is hoped it will help further the careers of their players for the future.

FIRST HOME GAMES OF THE SEASON

Monaghan United v Longford Town Fri 12/3/10

Monaghan United v Finn Harps Fri 19/3/10

Monaghan United commence the season at home against Longford Town FC on Friday 12th March. Last season United took all points against Longford, however the Midland side are expected to perform well this season as they strengthened their side with some good signings and are expected to do well.

On the following Friday Finn Harps are the visitors to Gortakeegan, for the first season ever United collected all points against the Donegal side, something that wont have gone unnoticed on the banks of the Finn. Last season their young manager James Gallagher ‘cut his teeth’ as manager he will have gained a lot from the experience and has strenghtened his side from last year.

United would be hoping to get all six points from both games. Kick off in both games will at 8.p.m.at Gortakeegan

MINI LEAGUES – SENIOR MENTORS

With the Monaghan United Senior team training at the Regional Development Centre more regularly for the coming season, children participating in the Mini Leagues will reap the rewards! On Sunday 21st of February, following pre-season training on Saturday, the Monaghan United senior team will be taking up their roles as mentors for the youngest club members.

This programme will see Senior Squad members acting as coaches to the mini leagues and giving them advice and encouragement as they strive to become successful footballers. The first hand knowledge of League of Ireland football that the mentors will impart on the youngsters will hopefully help them to develop and feel a desire to follow in their hero’s footsteps.

Children participating in the Mini Leagues will also get the opportunity to come into the dressing room before LOI games to see how the team prepare and will get the chance to be mascot or ball boys at games.

Any Children wishing to play football at Monaghan United’s Mini Leagues should come along this Sunday Morning and register. Registration of €30 for the second half of the season may be made to Coaches or Julie-Ann on Sunday mornings.

A coach and separate cage will be provided if there are enough girls who wish to play football.

The first coaching session with the Senior players on Sunday 21st February at 11am is open to children from all clubs or those who are not currently with any club for FREE. Come and join the fun!

Cooke is confident that the Academy at United is the way forward. “The way Monaghan United are producing such quality young players like Coleman, Clarke and Moynagh is really exciting for the future of football in the area. These 3 lads join their Under 20’s and 18’s team mates Dean McMahon, Philip Donnelly and Niall Flynn in the squad giving me a wealth of young lads to work with and hopefully help them make the step up to senior football with ease.

One of the things I love most about working with Monaghan United is the abundance of talent that is there and the fact that 6 of my 2010 squad have broken through from their youth set up in the past year is testament to the hard work, quality of coaching and the will to bring players through that exists at the club.

Like United Juvenile players before them such as Aaron McCarey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Mark Connolly (Bolton Wanderers) and Jonathon Douglas (Swindon Town), these lads are being given the chance to go on to bigger and better things by stepping up into the shop window that is League of Ireland football. They are also following in the footsteps of Paul Sheils (Shelbourne) and Paul Whelan in becoming Professional Footballers in the Irish game.

The future is bright at Monaghan United FC and I am proud to be part of the process that will nurture players and help them follow their dreams”

GOLD STAR SUPPORTERS DRAW

To continue securing the future of Monaghan United Club, the Management Committee has decided to continue their Gold Star Draw.

Total Prize Fund of €15,000

10 monthly draws of €500, - €250 -€250

December Draw €2,000, - €250, -€250

July Draw €3,000. -€250.-€250.

Once again the draw costs €20 per month.

As this is the only form of fundraising that the club is undertaking we are again calling on all our supporters to make it a success.