In their penultimate league match of the year, Monaghan United U-13’s travelled away to a strong Cavan Shamrocks side. The game kicked off at a high pace but it was the home side who were providing the early pressure as goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle was called into action early on. Monaghans first chance of the game came when forward Lewis Brady broke down the right wing, he set up forward Dylan O’Reilly only to see his effort saved. Monaghan were now starting to put heavy pressure on the Cavan backline with forwards Lewis Brady, Dylan O’Reilly and Fionan O’Gallchoir proving to be a handfull. Monaghans next chance came when fullback Blake Lees looped the ball forward to Lewis Brady only to see his effort narrowly denied by the goalkeeper. Monaghan did however break the deadlock, centre-back Cian Brennan brought the ball out of defence before sending a long ball forward, his pass found forward Dylan O’Reilly who put the away side infront. 1-0 to Monaghan. A few moments later Monaghan nearly doubled their lead when midfielder Josh Kelly played the ball through to Dylan O’Reilly, the Cavan defender looked more likely to win the ball but Dylan’s persistence paid off as he headed the ball past the defender and seen his effort sail narrowly wide. Cavan were trying to get in behind Monaghan but a defence of Blake Lees, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Cian Brennan and Shane Freeman were putting in a great defensive shift denying any Cavan attacking efforts. But Cavan kept the pressure on the Monaghan defence and as they pushed for an equalizer they were awarded minutes before half time as the levelled the game with a tidy finish.
The second half kicked off with both teams battling it out for possession. After a stroke of luck Monaghan went ahead once again, midfielder Darragh McKenna broke forward from midfield, he attempted to play through Dylan O’Reilly but when a Cavan defender attempted to clear the through ball, he sent the ball into his own net. 2-1 to Monaghan midway through the second half. Monaghan were now looking the stronger team as Darragh McKenna, Patrick Treanor and Michael McMarrow started to dominate possession in midfield. But near the end, just like the first half, Cavan were finishing the half as the stronger team as they pressed for an equaliser. They were denied on numerous occasions by tackles from Robin Pratt-Clarke, Ethan Ballentine and Cian Brennan, with goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle also saving two attempts. But Cavan kept pressing forward and they capitalized in the dying stages as they fired home an equalising goal. 2-2 the game finished after a very end-to-end battle.
Monaghans Man of the Match award goes to centre back Robin Pratt-Clarke after he put in an eye-catching defensive performance, denying Cavan Shamrocks from scoring on many occasions.
Monaghans United U-13’s Next Fixture to be Announced.
Man of The Match: Robin Pratt-Clarke
Goals: Dylan O’Reilly, own goal
Team: Ciaran Doyle, Blake Lees, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Ethan Ballentine, Cian Brennan, Conal Harpin, Shane Freeman, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Patrick Treanor (C), Josh Kelly, Darragh McKenna, Michael McMarrow, Fabian Kaminksy, Lewis Brady, Dylan O’Reilly, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Eoin O’Hanlon
Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan
Monaghan United U-14's 