Match Report: v Monaghan Town (Home) 30th Apr ‘16

In the Final of the Cavan-Monaghan Cup, Monaghan United U-12’s drew local rivals Monaghan Town.  With both teams evenly matched in quality it was lining up for a mouthwatering game at Gortekeegan.  Both sets of fans were expecting a lively game and that’s exactly what they got as Monaghan United broke forward in the early moments with midfielder Cian Brennan striking close.  The next chance in the game fell a few moments after as Dylan O’Reilly breaking forward 1v1 with the Town goalkeeper, only to be denied by a fantastic save.  The game was lively at both ends of the field, when Jamie Cooney found himself infront of goal only to be denied by the woodwork. The deadlock was finally broken as midfielder Josh Kelly floated in a corner kick which was met by striker Jamie Cooney to fire home.  1-0 to Monaghan United.  Minutes later Monaghan Town near found an equalizer only to be denied by fantastic tackles from Robin Pratt-Clarke and Ethan Ballentine.  Monaghan were gaining a stronghold on the game with midfielder’s Cian Brennan, Patrick Treanor and Josh Kelly putting in an excellent shift.  Moments before half time, midfielder Cian Brennan fed the ball toward Jamie Cooney who fired home his second goal of the game.  2-0 to Monaghan United at halftime.

As the second half kicked off, Monaghan continued their fantastic football when Captain Patrick Treanor sent through striker Jamie Cooney who fired past the Town goalkeeper to make it 3-0.  But Monaghan Town were not dead and burried as they grew in belief.  Time and time again they put pressure on the United defence, but Fionan O’Gallchoir, Blake Lees, Ethan Ballentine & Robin Pratt-Clarke were putting in fine performances trying to keep Monaghan Towns flying forwards at bay.  Monaghan Uniteds final goal of the game came minutes later as Josh Kelly once agin found striker Jamie Cooney who struck home his 4 goal of the game and 35th goal of the season.  The pressure was now on the Monaghan United defence as Monaghan Town advanced forward in numbers.  They soon struck a goal back with a brilliant finish from one of their forwards.  A few minutes later Town were on the attack once again and from a corner kick, one of their strikers fired the ball goalwards only to be denied by a world class fingertip save from goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle as he sent the ball onto the crossbar.  Team rolls were reversed as Monaghan Town were putting on all the pressure, while Monaghan United were set up for the counter.  This nearly prevailed as Cian Bradley-Gillespie and Dylan O’Reilly worked the ball to striker Michael McMarrow who broke through 1v1 with the Town goalkeeper, only to be denied by a great save.  The last chance of the game once again fell to Monaghan Town as they drove forward, but once again were denied by a brilliant stop from goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle. The game finished 4-1 as Monaghan United were crowned Champions and claimed the Cavan / Monaghan League and Cup Double.

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 Striker Jamie Cooney, who once again grabbed four goals, brining his season tally to a magnificent 35.

The Managers would like to thank all the parents of the team for their continued support and efforts all season.

Man of The Match:  Jamie Cooney

Goals:  Jamie Cooney (4)

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) 23rd Apr ‘16

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

Match Report: v Cavan Celtic (Home) 2nd Apr ‘16

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