In the Semi Final of the Cavan-Monaghan Cup, Monaghan United U-12’s travelled away to a Carrick Rovers side and after a fantastic game, Monaghan ran out 5-1 winners, progressing to the CMUC final. With Carrick unbeaten for two years in their home pitch, and Monaghan recently crowned Champions of the CMUL, the semi final was set up for an entertaining game. And it lived up to it as the game got off to a flyer when midfielder Josh Kelly floated in a corner, which was met at the back-post by Jamie Cooney to head home. As Carrick pressed forward for an equalizer, full back Fionan O’Gallchoir won the ball in defence, before driving forward and setting up Jamie Cooney who once again fired past the Carrick goalkeeper. Monaghan were buzzing. The home side however responded well and broke forward with a lot of pace, the pressure on the Monaghan defence soon paid off as Carrick were awarded a penalty kick, which they fired home past goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle. 2-1 and Game on! Minutes later Carrick near found an equalizer only to be denied by fantastic tackles from Robin Pratt-Clarke and Ethan Ballentine. Monaghan responded as midfielders Patrick Treanor, Cian Brennan, Dylan O’Reilly and Josh Kelly were taking a strong hold on the game, playing some brilliant possession football. Moments later Monaghan broke forward and won a corner. Dylan O’Reilly sent in a dangerous corner which hit the crossbar and bounced on the line before striker Jamie Cooney finished home his third of the game, 3-1 to Monaghan. Monaghans dominating was prevailing and they looked to push on as Josh Kelly played a short corner to Fionan O’Gallchoir. His whipped cross was met by the head of winger Cian Bradley-Gillespie only to see his effort denied by the crossbar. However, moments later Cian Bradley-Gillespie was once again the focal point and he met a Jamie Cooney cross with his head, this time firing past the Carrick goalkeeper. 4-1. Monaghan fifth goal came minutes before halftime as Cian Bradley-Gillespie and Dylan O’Reilly played some brilliant football before setting up striker Jamie Cooney for his fourth of the game.
The second half of the match was a lot quieter than the first as both teams battled it out in midfield. Monaghan’s best chances coming from the right as Josh Kelly and Blake Lees broke forward at pace only to be denied. Carricks best chance of the second second half came moments before the end as the home side broke forward finding themselves 1 on 1 with goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle, who pulled off a wondersave before collecting the resulting ball, denying the Carrick attack. Monaghan ran out 5-1 winners and progress to the Cavan Monaghan Cup final where they meet local rivals Monaghan Town in a mouthwatering Cup Final Fixture.
The was a lot of contenders for the Man of the Match award with some very strong performances in the Monaghan team but our Man of The Match award goes to Striker Jamie Cooney, who grabbed a magnificent four goals, brining his season tally to 31.
Next Saturday (30th April) Monaghan United U-12’s host Monaghan Town in the Cavan Monaghan Cup Final. Time and venue yet to be announced. The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support both teams on this brilliant occasion.
Man of The Match: Jamie Cooney
Goals: Jamie Cooney (4), Cian Bradley-Gillespie
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 