In the Quarter Final of the Cavan-Monaghan Cup, Monaghan United U-12’s hosted a strong Cavan Celtic side in Gortekeegan, and after a well fought come back, Monaghan ran out 5-2 winners, progressing to the semi-finals. The game was set up for a mouth-watering tie as both teams are sitting in first and second in the Cavan-Monaghan league. The game started off at a high pace, but it was the away side that broke the deadlock as Cavan Celtic set off on the counter attack and after some neat football, finished the ball past goalkeeper the unlucky Ciaran Doyle. But Monaghan’s response to going behind was excellent as they began to dominate the game in midfield, with defenders Robin Pratt-Clarke, Ethan Ballentine and Fionan O’Gallchoir putting in solid shifts to stop Cavan from increasing their lead. Striker Michael McMarrow was causing all sorts of problems for the Cavan backline as he defended from the front, winning back possession on numerous occasions. Monaghan soon drew level as Dylan O’Reilly floated in a corner kick only to see a Cavan defender send the resulting ball into his own net. 1-1 and Monaghan were growing in confidence. The third goal of the game came minutes before half-time as forward Eoin O’Hanlon dribbled into the Cavan box before setting up Jamie Cooney for his 26th goal of the season. 2-1 to Monaghan at half time.
The second half started off the same as the first with Monaghan dominating. Forward Eoin O’Hanlon received the ball inside the Cavan box before he was brought down by a Cavan player. Defender Ethan Ballentine stepped up to smash the resulting penalty past the away sides keeper. 3-1 to Monaghan. The home side were really taking a stronghold on the game when midfielder Josh Kelly played the ball to Eoin O’Hanlon who’s shot was then saved by the Cavan goalkeeper. Monaghan once again broke from midfield when Jamie Cooney dribbled into the box and set up Dylan O’Reilly who smashed home his 11th goal of the season. Though, the away side where not down and out and after another quick counter attack they fired home making the scoreline 4-2. Monaghan again responded well to conceding as forward Cian Bradley-Gillespie broke down the left and dribbled past 3 Cavan players setting up Jamie Cooney’s whos shot was saved. Midfielder Patrick Treanor was putting in a great performance in midfield making sure that Cavan didnt score a third. The final goal of the game came when Dylan O’Reilly sent in another fine corner and midfielder Cian Brennan fired home his second goal in two games. Moments before the final whistle Michael McMarrow dribbled into the Cavan box and set up Captain Patrick Treanor who seen his shot go narrowly wide, but even so, Monaghan won 5-2 and progress to the semi-finals with a fantastic performance.
The was a lot of contenders for Man of the Match with some very strong performances in the Monaghan team but our Man of The Match award goes to Robin Pratt-Clarke who put in a fantastic shift at centre back and made some vital last ditch tackles.
Next Saturday (11th April) Monaghan United U-12’s host Cootehill Harps at home in Gortekeegan in a League Match. The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support the team.
Man of The Match: Robin Pratt-Clarke
Goals: Jamie Cooney, Ethan Ballentine, Dylan O’Reilly, Cian Brennan, O.G.
Team: Ciaran Doyle, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Cian Brennan, Patrick Treanor (c), Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Blake Lees, Eoin O’Hanlon, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney
Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan
Monaghan United U-14's 