Match Report: v Gweedore United (Home) 17th Oct ‘15

In the second round of the National Cup, Monaghan United hosted Gweedore United, a side from North Donegal, but unfortunately fell to a 4-3 defeat.  Monaghan started the game slowly as gweedore quickly added a snapshot to put the visitor’s 1-0 up in the opening minutes.  But the Monaghan players picked up their game and put a lot of pressure on the away side as front three Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Jamie Cooney  & Blake Lees all went close to an equaliser.  Again, Gortekeegan’s pitch was in superb condition allowing free flowing football from both sides.  Monaghan soon opened their scoring as midfielder Dylan O’Reilly struck a thunder-bolting long range shot past the Gweedore keeper.  Moments later Monaghan went 2-1 up as Dylan O’Reilly added his second with a well placed left footed finish.  Things looked on the up as defenders Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke & Fionan O’Gallchoir all put in good shifts to keep the Gweedore attack quiet for long periods of the first half.  A counter attack then broke for Monaghan and Blake Lees effort was put out for a corner.  Dylan O’Reilly provided the resulting corner only for a Gweedore defender to unfortunately put the ball in his own net, making it 3-1 to the homeside.  On the stroke of half-time, midfielder Eoin O’Hanlon broke through the Gweedore defence only to be brought down for a penalty kick as he attempted a shot on goal.  Dylan O’Reilly stepped up to claim his hat-trick but a fine save from the Gweedore keeper kept the Gweedore side in the game as the half finished 3-1 to Monaghan.

The second half started off as the first half ended with Monaghan on top, with forwards Michael McMarrow, Josh Kelly and Jamie Cooney all being involved.  But it was Gweedore who came out on top as they took full advantage to an injury to keeper Ciaran Doyle, and scored two quick-fire goals to bring the game level at 3-3. Gweedore took full advantage of their comeback as they broke on a counterattack, which lead to a penalty to the away side for an unfortunate handball. They converted the late penalty to take the lead.  Monaghan pilled on the pressure in the dying minutes but it was the away side that progressed into the next round of the National Cup as 4-3 winners, and we would like to wish them all the best in the competition.

Next Saturday (24th Oct) Monaghan United U-12’s travel away to play Cavan Celtic.  The club would like to ask all the parents and family members to come out and support the team.

Man of The Match:  Dylan O’Reilly

Goals:  Dylan O’Reilly (2), own goal

Team: Ciaran Doyle, Cian Brennan, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Rory 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 Ballyhaise (Away) 26th Sept ‘15

Monaghan United U-12’s kicked off their National Cup campaign with a 8-3 win away in Cavan against Ballyhaise.  The game started at a very high pace with a goal in the first five minutes from right winger Blake Lees.  A few minutes later winger Eoin O’Hanlon was brought down in the box before striker Jamie Cooney converted the resulting penalty making it 2-0.  Jamie then added a further two goals along with another own goal making it a 5-0 scoreline to Monaghan United.  The Cavan side had very limited chances in the first half as back trio Rory Treanor, Robin Pratt-Clarke & Dylan O’Reilly, along with makeshift goalkeeper Ethan Ballentine kept the Ballyhaise attack at bay.

The second half started off as quick as the first as Michael McMarrow soon added a 6th with a neat finish.  Monaghan, with Captain Patrick Treanor and Darragh McKenna dominating midfield, were taking a dominating hold on the game.  But with a change of keeper, Monaghan soon gave a way a penalty, but a fine flying save from Cian Bradley-Gillespie kept the clean sheet intact.  Though, soon after Ballyhaise added two quick goals, before Eoin O’Hanlon converted Monaghan’s 7th with a fine strike.  Another Ballyhaise goal made it 7-3 before the best goal of the match as Eoin O’Hanlon was played through behind the Ballyhaise defence and he squared the ball for another Jamie Cooney goal, which finished the exciting game as Monaghan United ran out 8-3 winners.  There were many candidates but with four goals, it was Jamie Cooney who picked up our Man of the Match Award

Man of The Match:  Jamie Cooney

Goals:  Blake Lees, Jamie Cooney (4), Michael McMarrow, Eoin O’Hanlon, O.G.

Team: Rory Treanor, Ethan Ballentine, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Diarmuid O’Riordan, Patrick Treanor, Darragh McKenna, Dylan O’Reilly, Evan Skinnader, Josh Kelly, Eoin O’Hanlon, Blake Lees, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Michael McMarrow, Jamie Cooney

Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan