In their first friendly of the season, Monaghan United U-14’s kicked off in Goretkeegan against Cavan side Ballyjamesduff. The game started off with the away side dominating early on forcing Monaghans defence of Blake Lees, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Cian Brennan & Fionan O’Geallachoir to shake off any summer rustiness and defend straight from the off. Monaghans first chance came when forward Dara McKenna crossed for Cian Bradley-Gillespie who went narrowly close with a header. The two then combined once again as they exchanged a quick 1-2 before Dara’s shot was saved. Ballyjamesduff retaliated but were denied by some great defending by Robin Pratt-Clarke. Cian Bradley-Gillespie was itching to get the break through as he once again broke through the defensive line only to see his effort saved by an impressive goalkeeper. The home sides front three of Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Dara McKenna and Eoin O’Hanlon started the match very well, and two of them combined when Dara flicked the ball on to Cian who was through on goal, he forced a save from the Ballyjamesduff goalkeeper, but the ball fell back to Dara McKenna who opened Monaghans account for the season. 1-0 to the home side. With a midfield of Josh Kelly, Patrick Treanor & new signing Jake McGeouch dominating in possession, things were looking up for Monaghan after a slow start. Monaghans next chance came when Captain Patrick Treanor played a through ball to Dara McKenna only to see his effort sail narrowly wide. Monaghans next chance came when New signing Fionnan O’Braonain played in Cian Bradley-Gillespie only for the defenders to force his shot wide. Monaghan were dominating, but Ballyjamesduff broke on the counter and minutes before half time, they equalised with a nice passage of play. Monaghan quickly looked to go back in front when full back Blake Lees played a beautiful long ball over the top of the away sides defence finding Fionnan O’Braonain whos cross met Cian Bradley-Gillespie who was once again denied by an in-form Ballyjamesduff keeper. 1-1 the scoreline at halftime.
Monaghan kicked off the second half on the front foot when Patrick Treanor won the ball in the middle of the park, he slipped the ball wide to Jake McGeough, his cross found fellow new signing Fionnan O’Braonain who fired home, only to see his goal disallowed for offside. Minutes later Monaghans goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle was forced into a fine saved when the away side fired in a direct freekick. Monaghans persistance paid off when new signing Thomas Keenan won the ball in midfield, he slipped the ball through the ballyjamesduff defence to Cian Bradley-Gillespie, his cross found Nuno Patacho who tapped home his first goal in Monaghan colours. Cian was proving to be a nuisance to the away sides defence as he broke through once again, his cross found Thomas Keenan who was denied by a fine save. Monaghan were coming increasingly close to a third when Dara McKenna dribbled past four defenders, his shot beat the keeper but rattled back off the post. Monaghan were playing some great football down the left hand side as Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon & Fionan O’Geallachoir linked time and time again impressively. They threatened once again when Eoin O’Hanlon fired in a dangerous corner, but Cian Brennan narrowly header over. Minutes before the end fullback Blake Lees broke forward down the right at pace, his cross fell to Josh Kelly who again went close. In the dying moments Monaghan did however find their third when Eoin O’Hanlon drove forward and slipped the ball to Dara McKenna who fired home his second of the game as Monaghan ran out 3-1 winners in their first game back.
The were 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 forward Cian Bradley-Gillespie, who was a danger all match and a constant threat to the Ballyjamesduff defence and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Monaghans United U-14’s Next Fixture to be Announced
Man of The Match: Cian Bradley-Gillespie
Goals: Dara McKenna (2), Nuno Patacho
Team: Ciaran Doyle, Blake Lees, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Cian Brennan, Fionan O’Geallachoir, Patrick Treanor (C), Josh Kelly, Jake McGeough, Thomas Keenan, Fionnan O’Braonain, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Eoin O’Hanlon, Dara McKenna, Nuno Patacho
Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan
Monaghan United U-14's 