Match Report: v Cootehill Harps (Home) 9th Apr ‘16

In their last league match of the year, Monaghan United U-12’s hosted last years CMUL Winners Cootehill Harps, and after a game of two halves the match finished 2-2.  Even so, Monaghan United were crowned Cavan Monaghan League Champions and lifted the CMUL Cup at the end of the game.  Gortekeegans pitch was in good condition which allowed for the game to kick off at a high tempo with midfielders Josh Kelly, Patrick Treanor and Cian Brennan dominating possession from the word go.  Midfielder Dylan O’Reilly was given a free role as a forward and he was given Cootehill a lot of bother, this proved vital and he latched onto a fine pass from Cian Brennan and teed up striker Jamie Cooney to finish home the first goal of the game. Defenders Robin Pratt-Clarke, Ethan Ballentine and Fionan O’Gallchoir were putting in a real strong performance making sure that the away side didnt get a shot on goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle.  The next goal of the game came minutes later when Josh Kelly and Blake Lees worked the ball down the right side of the pitch before setting up Jamie Cooney, only to see his shot saved by the Cootehill goalkeeper, but the resulting ball was then finished home by Dylan O’Reilly for his 12th goal of the season. 2-0 to Monaghan.  The front two combined once again before half time when Dylan sent in a brilliant corner which was met by Jamie Cooney only to see his effort denied by the crossbar.

The second half kick off like a new match with Cootehill starting to dominate. They were given a lifeline into the match when they received a penalty midway through the second half.  Goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle saved the penatly with a fantastic stop, but the effort was soon rebounded by a Cootehill forward.  2-1 and game on.  Monaghan looked to respond as strikers Michael McMarrow, Eoin O’Hanlon and Cian Bradley-Gillespie were causing the away sides defence all sorts of trouble on the counter, but the Cootehill goalkeeper was in fine form to keep Cootehill from going further behind.  Cootehill got their just awards minutes before the end as they broke forward and sent the ball into the Monaghan net.  2-2 the game finished, but Monaghan were the happier as Captain Patrick Treanor lifted the CMUL Cup at the end of the match, truly deserved after a great season.

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 Dylan O’Reilly who put in a fantastic performance up front and then in midfield.

We would like to thank all the parents for their turnout at the game and their support all year.

Monaghans United U-12’s Next Fixture to be Announced.

Man of The Match:  Dylan O’Reilly

Goals:  Jamie Cooney, Dylan O’Reilly

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

Match Report: v Carrick Rovers (Away) 26th Mar ‘16

In their fourteenth league match, Monaghan United U-12’s travelled away to a strong Carrick Rovers side, and after 50/50 game, Monaghan lost 2-1.  The weather conditions were very poor but Carricks pitch was holding up firmly. The away side started off stronger in the first half, and it didn’t take long before they had an effort on goal. Midfielder Josh Kelly struck a well hit free kick past the Carrick goalkeeper only to be narrowly denied by the crossbar.  The next effort came a few minutes later as forward Fionan O’Gallchoir drove forward and pulled the ball back to midfielder Patrick Treanor only to see his long range effort denied by the Carrick goalkeeper.  Moments later forward Eoin O’Hanlon received the ball deep and drove at the Carrick defence before seeing his effort denied by a another fine save.  The first goal of the game came minutes before half time when defender Ethan Ballentine broke forward down the right and floated a dangerous cross and after a scuffle in the box, midfielder Cian Brennan fired home his first goal of the season. 1-0 to  the away side.  Monaghan near doubled their lead before the break when forward Eoin O’Hanlon played the ball to his striking partner Jamie Cooney who’s shot was denied by the inform Carrick Rovers keeper.  1-0 to Monaghan at half time.

The second half kicked off with Carrick Rovers looking the stronger team as they looked to retaliate after going a goal down.  It didn’t take long for the home side to find an equaliser as they floated in a long range free-kick, which beat everyone and sailed into the Monaghan net. 1-1.  Monaghan looked to find there lead and once again the Carrick keeper pulled off a fine side as he saved  an effort from forward Blake Lees.  The game was 50/50 as both teams chased a winner, and the home side near found one on a few occasion only to be denied by goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle, and some fantastic last minute tackles by defender Robin Pratt-Clarke.  Though, the home side did find their breakthrough 5 minutes from the end as they sent in a lofting corner, which was finished off at the back post.  2-1 to Carrick Rovers.  In the dying minutes of the game Monaghan chased down an equaliser as striker Michael McMarrow drove at the Carrick defence only to be denied by some fantastic defending.  The last chance of the game fell to Monaghan midfielder Dylan O’Reilly who fired in a long effort only to see it denied by the Carrick goalkeeper, who was putting in a great shift.  In the end Monaghan were unlucky and fell down to a 2-1 defeat against a strong Carrick side who remain unbeaten in their home pitch.

The was strong performances in the Monaghan team but our Man of The Match award goes to Captain Patrick Treanor who dominated the game and put in a fantastic shift in centre midfield.

Next Saturday (2nd April) Monaghan United U-12’s host Cavan Celtic at home in Gortekeegan in a Cup Match.  The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support the team.

Man of The Match:  Patrick Treanor

Goals:  Cian Brennan

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Cian Brennan, Patrick Treanor (c), Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan

Match Report: v Bailieboro Celtic (Home) 11th Mar ‘16

In their thirteenth league match, Monaghan United U-12’s hosted Bailieboro Celtic at home in Gortekeegan, and after a very strong performance they ran out 5-0 winners, a win that crowned Monaghan United as Champions of the Cavan / Monaghan U-12 League.  Monaghan kicked off the game on a fine Gortekeegan pitch knowing that a draw would be enough to win the league and this showed as Monaghan started the game full of confidence.  Forwards Jamie Cooney, Cian Bradley-Gillespie and midfielder Josh Kelly were causing the Bailieboro defence all kinds of trouble as they attacked at pace from wide areas, but the first goal of the night came from an unlikely source as full back Fionan O’Gallchoir drove forward on the left and stuck a shot from outside the box into the top right hand corner.  A first goal well deserved for Fionan after a fantastic season.  Monaghan were growing in confidence as minutes later Captain Patrick Treanor went close with a long range effort. Any nerves the Monaghan players had before the match were nowhere to be seen as the home sides second goal came soon after. They played the ball through the Bailieboro defence with some fantastic passing and Jamie Cooney crossed the ball for midfielder Dylan O’Reilly to fire home his 10th goal of the season.  The away side, however, didn’t let their heads drop as they tried to counter attack Monaghan on the break, but Robin Pratt-Clarke, Ethan Ballentine and goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle denied the Bailieboro attack on more than one occasion.  The third goal of the game came shortly before halftime when midfielder Cian Brennan set up striker Jamie Cooney for his 25th goal of the season with a fine placed finish.

Monaghan were growing in confidence and they kicked off the second half at a high tempo.  Striker Jamie Cooney played in his striking partner Michael McMarrow who struck the ball past the away sides keeper making it 4-0 to the hosts.  The final goal of the game came when fullback Blake Lees broke forward down the right wing and after his long range effort rattled off the crossbar, Michael McMarrow was on hand to send the resulting ball into the net.  Michael McMarrow was once again in the headlines as he was played through on goal, but after a neat finish, his goal was ruled out for a marginal but correct offside decision.  The game finished 5-0 and Monaghan United U-12s were crowned Champions of the Cavan / Monaghan league.

The future of Monaghan United surely is bright, and these kids deserve their league title for the brilliant football they’ve played, their dedication and the attitudes they’ve shown all season. Well done to all the lads!

Monaghans United U-12’s Next Fixture to be Announced.

Man of The Match:  Michael McMarrow

Goals:  Fionan O’Gallchoir, Dylan O’Reilly, Jamie Cooney, Michael McMarrow (2)

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Cian Brennan, Patrick Treanor (c), Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan

Match Report: v Cavan Celtic (Home) 5th Mar ‘16

In their twelfth league match, Monaghan United U-12’s hosted a fine Cavan Celtic side, and after some fantastic football, Monaghan ran out 5-0 winners.  The weather conditions were fantastic and Gortekeegan’s pitch held up brilliantly after a long week of rain and frost.  The game started off at a very high tempo as Ethan Ballentine quickly played through striker Jamie Cooney only for his effort being denied by the Cavan goalkeeper. Monaghan were piling on the pressure from the word go and striker Eoin O’Hanlon near opened the scoring with a fine effort only to be once again denied by the Cavan goalkeeper. However, the first goal of the game soon after as captain Patrick Treanor broke forward from midfield, his pass rebounded off Eoin O’Hanlon before striker Jamie Cooney sent the resulting ball into the Cavan goal.  Moments later he then doubled his tally as Eoin O’Hanlon played him through on goal to make it 2-0.  Jamie continued his fantastic goal scoring form moments later as midfielder Josh Kelly floated in a corner kick, and after Cavan failed to clear their flanks Jamie finished home his 24th goal of the season.  The home side were piling on the pressure as they refused to take the foot off the pedal when forward Blake Lees broke forward at pace only to see his effort sail narrowly wide of the Cavan goal.  In the dying moments of the first half forward Blake Lees played the ball to midfielder Dylan O’Reilly who cracked one of his trademark long range shots past the away sides goalkeeper making it 4-0 to Monaghan at half time.

The second half kicked off at a slower tempo as both teams looked to close each other out. Defenders Cian Brennan, Ethan Ballentine and Fionan O’Gallchoir were putting in a real strong performance making sure that the away side didnt get a shot on goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle. Cavan Celtic were restricted to counter attacks and near came close to a goal but defender Robin Pratt-Clarke who was putting in one of his best best performances of the season, stopped there attack with two last ditch tackles.  This sparked a reaction from the Monaghan team as forwards Michael McMarrow and Jamie Cooney defended from the front putting serious pressure on the Cavan backline.  Cian Bradley-Gillespie continued his good recent form as he received the ball from Patrick Treanor before smashing the ball past the Cavan goalkeeper making it 5-0.  A goal well deserved after some strong recent performances from Cian.

Next Friday (11th March) Monaghan United U-12’s host Bailieboro Celtic at home in Gortekeegan.  The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support the team.

Man of The Match:  Jamie Cooney

Goals:  Jamie Cooney (3), Dylan O’Reilly, Cian Bradley-Gillespie

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Cian Brennan, Patrick Treanor (c), Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan

Match Report: v Cavan Shamrocks (Home) 27th Feb ‘16

In their eleventh league match, Monaghan United U-12’s hosted a fine Cavan Shamrocks side, and after some fantastic football, Monaghan ran out 4-1 winners.  The game started off at a high tempo with Monaghan dominating from the early stages, putting pressure on the Cavan defence from the start.  Monaghans pressing game proved vital as early pressure forced a Monaghan corner.  Dylan O’Reilly floated in the resulting corner and after Patrick Treanor’s header hit the crossbar, striker Jamie Cooney finished home.  Cavan tried to force a reaction but strong defensive performances from Cian Brennan and Robin Pratt-Clarke stopped and Cavan advances. Chances were limited in the first half as both teams cancelled each other out.  1-0 at half time.

The second half proved a lot more eventful than the first half as the home side started to take a stronghold on the game.  It didn’t take long before midfielder Josh Kelly floated in a fantastic cross and Paddy Treanor, who was having a fantastic game, finished home with a strong header.  2-0 to the hosts.  Monaghan were playing some strong football, but Cavan responded with a counter attack and sent the ball past goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle to make it 2-1.  The home side didnt let the heads slip and kept pressing forward, they were rewarded moments later when defender Etahn Ballentine, who was putting in a strong performance, drove forward and received the ball from winger Blake Lees before floating in a deep cross.  Forward Eoin O’Hanlon rose to meet the cross with a fine header and wrong footed the keeper, making it 3-1.  Striker Michael McMarrow then came close after some fine footwork but the away side where equal to his effort.  Monaghan pushed high up with Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Blake Lees and defender Fionan O’Gallchoir leading the attack as Monaghan looked to the wings for more space.  Midfielder Patrick Treanor won the ball in midfield and played a fine through ball to striker Jamie Cooney and after a marvellous first touch, finished home his 21st goal of the season.  Monaghan ran out 4-1 winners in the end.

The was strong performances from Ethan Ballentine and Cian Bradley-Gillespie but our Man of The Match away goes to midfielder Patrick Treanor who dominated in midfield and contributed a goal and two assists.

Next Saturday (5th March) Monaghan United U-12’s host Cavan Celtic at home in Gortekeegan.  The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support the team.

Man of The Match:  Patrick Treanor

Goals:  Jamie Cooney (2), Patrick Treanor, Eoin O’Hanlon

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Cian Brennan (c), Patrick Treanor, Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan

Match Report: v Cootehill Harps (Away) 20th Feb ‘16

In their tenth league match, Monaghan United U-12’s travelled away to a strong Cootehill Harps side, and after a fantastic end to end match, the game came to a stalemate at 1-1.  The game started off at a high tempo with both teams battling it out in midfield.  Their first chances came early on with striker Jamie Cooney striking close on two occasions. Monaghan welcomed Cian Brennan back into midfield after a long layoff and along with Josh Kelly and Dylan O’Reilly, they were starting to put a stronghold on the game as they kept pressing and pressing forward.  It didn’t take long before striker Eoin O’Hanlon drove forward through the Cootehill defence, but his effort on goal was met by the post before being cleared from danger.  But the home side showed their strength and began to press forward themselves.  They came close to breaking the deadlock but goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle was equal to their effort with a fine save.  However, just before half time the home side press forward once again and with a fantastic long range effort, Cootehill took the lead.  1-0 at half time.

In the second half Monaghan showed a response and being led on by Patrick Treanor, Monaghan dominated the second half.  Forward Cian Bradely-Gillespie played a fine through ball to Jamie Cooney, but the Cootehill keeper was equal to his effort.  Defender Robin Pratt-Clarke played a long ball forward over the home defence and striker Jamie Cooney latched onto the ball and fired home past the Cootehill keeper. 1-1. His 19th goal of the season.  A few minutes later Monaghan were awarded a penalty after a deliberate hand ball, but the Cootehill keeper was in fine form and saved the resulting effort, keeping the game level.  The home side grew encouragement from this but defenders Ethan Ballentine, Blake Lees, Robin Pratt-Clarke and Fionan O’Gallchoir were on form to kept out any danger.  Monaghan were pressing forward led by midfielder Josh Kelly who once again was putting in a fantastic shift and moments later he played the ball to Patrick Treanor who fired a venomous strike which rattled the post.  A few minutes later Michael McMarrow took down a high ball and stroke a fantastic volley towards goal but once again the home sides keeper was equal to Monaghans efforts.  Cootehills keeper was finally beaten as Eoin O’Hanlon played in a fantastic low ball which rolled along the line but Monaghan were unable to send the ball into the net. Monaghan rose to the occasion and dominated the second half, but the game finished a stalemate at 1-1.

There was some strong performances from many of the players but this weeks Man of the Match award goes to Blake Lees who put in a fantastic shift at right back against his old team.

Next Saturday (29th Feb) Monaghan United U-12’shost Cavan Shamrocks at home in Gortekeegan.  The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support the team.

Man of The Match:  Blake Lees

Goals:  Jamie Cooney

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Cian Brennan, Patrick Treanor, Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees (c), Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan

Match Report: v Bailieboro (Away) 13th Feb ‘16

In their ninth league match, Monaghan United U-12’s travelled away to Bailieboro Celtic, and after some fantastic football, Monaghan ran out 10-2 winners.  Monaghan got off to a good start even before the game had kicked off as Captain on the day Cian Bradley-Gillespie showed his leadership skills by taking the team warm-up himself and got the Monaghan players focused.  This proved vital as Monaghan started the game off on the front foot, and it didn’t take long before midfielder Dylan O’Reilly opened the scoring, with a long range left footed effort sailing into the top corner of the net. 1-0 to the away side.  The second goal for the away side came a few moments later as forward Cian Bradley-Gillspie played through his counterpart Jamie Cooney to neatly slide the ball past the Bailieboro keeper, making it 2-0 to Monaghan. Monaghan then struck once again as Jamie Cooney played the ball to midfielder Josh Kelly who calmly slotted past the home goalkeeper. Monaghan were taken a huge stronghold of the game with each player given his all going foward and defenders Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke and Fionan O’Gallchoir cancelling out any efforts Bailieboro were throwing at them.  It wasn’t long before Monaghan added their fourth of the game as striker Jamie Cooney made the most of a poor goal kick, leaving himself one on one with the goalkeeper and finishing home his second goal of the game.  Monaghan kept pressing forward and forward in numbers and it didnt take long before Monaghan added their fifth of the game through midfielder Dylan O’Reilly who struck home with another one of his special long range efforts. 6-0 to Monaghan.  But Bailieboro kept their spirits high and after and well floated freekick, they sent the ball goalwards, but after a fine bottom corner save from goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle, the home sides striker struck the ball home.  Monaghan responded well with midfielders Josh Kelly, Patrick Treanor, Eoin O’Hanlon and Dylan O’Reilly playing a wonderful passing game.  It didn’t take long for this to prove vital as Josh Kelly was soon taken down for a free kick near the half way line. Midfielder Dylan O’Reilly stood up and struck the resulting free kick into the top left hand corner with a wonderful strike, his 8th goal of the season, all of which could be counted as goal of the season contenders. Monaghan kept the ball moving forward, and after midfielder Eoin O’Hanlon delivered a fantastic cross, Forward Blake Lees came in at the back post and sent the ball rocketing into the Bailieboro net. Monaghan once again pressed forward and minutes before half time forward Blake Lees was played through one on one with the bailieboro goalkeeper, from a fine ball from Patrick Treanor, and he sent home his fourth goal of the season.  9-1 the halftime scoreline.

Bailieboro responded well from a half time team talk and started the second half the stronger of the the two teams.  After a serious battle in midfield the home side fired the ball into the net, making it 9-2 moments after half time.  Monaghan once again responded well as Eoin O’Hanlon and Fionan O’Gallchoir drove the team forward with mazy runs. Monaghan went close of tow occasions as Ethan Ballentine and Michael McMarrow both went close.  Midfielder Eoin O’Hanlon was showing how good of skill he has and he jinxed his way past three Bailieboro defenders and played the ball to striker Jamie Cooney to finish home, only for his effort to be correctly ruled out for offside.  The away side finished the game as they started it as Fionan O’Gallchoir showed his pace by beating two Bailieboro defenders and then floating a ball across the home sides box for striker Jamie Cooney to send home his fourth goal of the match, and 18th goal of the Season, as the game finished 10-2.

It was a fine performance from each member of the Monaghan team, but even though Jamie Cooney, Dylan O’Reilly and Blake Lees added some fantastic goals, our Man of the Match award goes to midfielder Josh Kelly with a fantastic all round performance in midfield.

Next Saturday (20th Feb) Monaghan United U-12’s travel away to Cootehill Harps.  The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support the team.

Man of The Match:  Josh Kelly

Goals:  Dylan O’Reilly (3), Blake Lees (2), Jamie Cooney (4), Josh Kelly

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Patrick Treanor, Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie (c), Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan

Match Report: v Carrick Rovers (Home) 16th Jan ‘16

In their eighth league match, Monaghan United U-12’s hosted a strong Carrick Rovers side in Gortekeegan, and after a one of their best performances of the season, Monaghan ran out 4-1 winners.  The weather had dried off and once again Gortekeegan pitch was in a fantastic condition for a great game of football.  The game started off at a very high pace with both teams battling it out for possession.  Carrick looked to the right side of the pitch for width to attack the Monaghan defence, but defenders Fionan O’Gallchoir and Robin Pratt-Clarke were putting in fine performances cancelling out the Carrick right winger time and time again.  Monaghan started to take a strong hold on the game but the first goal of the game came to the away side as Carrick broke on the counter attack and after a save from Monaghan goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle, a Carrick forward latched onto the rebound to fire home.  1-0.  But Monaghan responded very well to going behind and started to press forward with winger Eoin O’Hanlon and Michael McMarrow leading the attack, and it was long before Michael broke free one on one with the goalkeeper and after a fantastic dummy around the keeper, seen his left foot shot sail narrowly wide.  But this brought confidence to the home team as midfielders Patrick Treanor, Dylan O’Reilly, Cian Brennan and Josh Kelly started to dominate and move the ball forward.  The confidence kept growing in or the home side and just before half time the home side won a corner kick.  Midfielder Josh Kelly provided a wonderful cross and Patrick Treanor was on the receiving end as he headed past the Carrick goalkeeper.  1-1 at half time.

The second half started the same way the first half finished with Monaghan on the top and it didn’t take long before forward Blake Lees broke free on the counter attack from a through ball from Patrick Treanor and lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and put Monaghan into the lead. A fine finish making it 2-1 to the homeside.  Monaghan looked in fine form as midfielders Dylan O’Reilly and Josh Kelly drove forward and defenders Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke and Fionan O’Gallchoir where equal to anything Carrick were firing at them. Monaghan pressed again on the counter and after some quick footwork Dylan O’Reilly played a through ball for forward Jamie Cooney who neatly finished passed the Carrick keeper and extending Monaghan’s lead to 3-1.  As the game went on and on Monaghans confidence grew as a long range effort from Robin Pratt-Clarke and a header from Ethan Ballentine nearly added a fourth.  The fourth came for the home side a few minutes from the end as midfielder Dylan O’Reilly once again fed the ball to striker Jamie Cooney who added Monaghans fourth of the game and his 14th goal of the season.  Just moments before the end of the game Monaghan pressed again and winger Cian Bradley-Gillespie stroke from wide only to see his effort sail narrowly over the bar.  It was a fine day for the home side as they ran out 4-1 winners against a very strong Carrick Rovers side, and it took one of the team performances of the season to do so.

After a fantastic performance from each Monaghan player it was our hardest week to select a player for Man of the Match, but this week it goes to Dylan O’Reilly who dictated the pace of the game on the left of a midfield trio.

Each player gave 110% and put in fantastic shifts as Monaghan dug in deep to come out on top, but it was defender Ethan Ballentine who picked up our Man of the Match vote, after a fine display in the right of the back three.

Monaghans United U-12’s Next Fixture to be Announced.

Man of The Match:  Dylan O’Reilly

Goals:  Patrick Treanor, Blake Lees, Jamie Cooney (2)

Team: Ciaran Doyle (c), Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Cian Brennan, Patrick Treanor, Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan

Match Report: v Cavan Shamrocks (Away) 9th Jan ‘16

In their seventh league match, Monaghan United U-12’s travelled away to a tough Cavan Shamrocks team, and after an scrappy match, Monaghan ran out 1-0 winners.  The home side started off at a fast pace and straight away forced goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle into a fantastic early save.  After that, Monaghan started to dominate the game in terms of possession, getting a stronghold on the game but chances were few and far between as the home side defended well.  Midfielders Patrick Treanor, Dylan O’Reilly and Blake Lees broke forward on different occasions but their efforts from long range sailed passed the posts on each occasion.  Monaghan s best chance of the opening 20 minutes came when Patrick Treanor won the ball in midfield from a goalkick and fed the ball through to striker Michael McMarrow, only to be denied by the Cavan Shamrocks keeper.  Chances for either side were kept to a minimum and both teams midfield battled it out for possession.  A tactical change in formation from 3-2-3 to 3-3-2 allowed winger Josh Kelly to drop into a deeper midfield role and just before half time Monaghan broke free and Patrick Treanor fed the ball to Josh who calmly slide the ball underneath the Cavan Shamrocks goalkeeper given the away side a 1-0 advantage at half time.

The second half kicked off with Monaghan the stronger as early efforts from Dylan O’Reilly and Eoin O’Hanlon tested the home sides goalkeeper.  Monaghan kept the pressure on and it wasn’t long before winger Cian Bradley-Gillespie latched onto a poor goalkick and his long looping effort rattled the Cavan crossbar, a fine effort on goal.  A lot of Monaghans second half chances where down to constant corner kicks, where midfielder Dylan O’Reilly was sending inch perfect crosses each time, and defender Ethan Ballentine’s headed efforts went close on two occasions.  Cavan struggled to get the ball out of their own half as the away side pressed the ball from the front.  Defenders Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke and Fionan O’Gallchoir as well as midfielder Patrick Treanor all put in a fantastic defensive performance in the second half as Cavan tried to get an equalizer but the Monaghan defense was equal to their efforts.  Monaghan dominated the second half and a late effort from striker Eoin O’Hanlon saw the ball slide under the Cavan goalkeeper and into the back of the net, only to be ruled out for offside. Monaghan pressed and pressed forward forcing the Cavan goalkeeper into numbers save as she put in a fantastic performance keeping Monaghans lead to a minimum.

Each player gave 110% and put in fantastic shifts as Monaghan dug in deep to come out on top, but it was defender Ethan Ballentine who picked up our Man of the Match vote, after a fine display in the right of the back three.

Next Saturday (16th Jan) Monaghan United U-12’s host Carrick Rovers at home in Gortekeegan.  The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support the team.

Man of The Match:  Ethan Ballentine

Goals:  Josh Kelly

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir (c), Patrick Treanor, Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan

Match Report: v Cootehill Harps (Home) 28th Nov ‘15

In their sixth league match, Monaghan United U-12’s hosted a fantastic Cootehill Harps team in Gortekeegan, and after an end to end match, Cootehill ran out 1-0 winners, bringing Monaghan’s winning streak to an end. The weather conditions were miserable but the Gortekeegan pitch held its ground well and the match went ahead. It was Cootehill who started the strongest and attacked the home side from the word go.  A strong defensive performance from Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke & Cian Brennan as well as a great save from goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle kept the away side out.  But even so, it was the away side who broke the deadlock as Cootehill broke free and after some lovely football, finished past the Monaghan keeper making it 1-0.  Cootehill were dominating as Monaghan struggled to adapt to the wet & miserable conditions.  After 15 minutes the weather started to clear up and Monaghan were beginning to get a strong hold on the game, with attacks from Josh Kelly, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow & Dylan O’Reilly all given the Cootehill defense trouble.  After a quick couner attack the home side broke free only to see winger Cian Bradley-Gillespies effort sail narrowly wide. 1-0 to the away side at half time.

Monaghan started the second half as they finished the first, showing alot of passion driving forward with Eoin O’Hanlon causing the Cootehill defense serious trouble.  After lovely football from the home side, striker and Captain on the day, Jamie Cooney broke loose in the oppositions box, only for his effort to be saved by the Cootehill keeper, who was having a fine game keeping Monaghan out.  As Monaghan were on the offensive, Cootehill were on the counter and a fantastic save from keeper Ciaran Doyle kept Cootehills advantage to a minimum.  Monaghan were pushing hard for an equaliser with great performances from wingers Eoin O’Hanlon and Blake Lees, the latter playing against his former side, but chance after chance went begging as Cootehill stayed strong in defense.  Monaghan were dominating possession as Cian Brennan & Patrick Treanor broke up any Cootehill attacks, with Blake Lees, Eoin O’Hanlon & Dylan O’Reilly driving monaghan forward.  As Monaghan pressed higher and higher up the field, the Cootehill defense were proving equal to any attack, keeping Monaghans chances to long range efforts and corner kicks.  Monaghan were using the left wing as a driving point with full back Fionan O’Gallchoir and midfielder’s Patricks Treanor & Dylan O’Reilly pushing in to wide areas trying ro provide a chance for the Monaghan forwards.  Monaghan put in fine performance against a strong Cootehill Harps team, but the away side put in a great defensive team performance and ran out 1-0 winners in the end.  Monaghan’s first league defeat of the season.  Our Man of the Match on the day was Cian Brennan, who put in a great defensive performance first at left back  and then on right, with some fantastic defensive tackles.

Monaghans United U-12’s Next Fixture to be Announced.

Man of The Match:  Cian Brennan

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Cian Brennan, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Patrick Treanor, Dylan O’Reilly, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney (c)

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan