In the Quarter-Final of the Cavan / Monaghan League Cup, Monaghan United U-13’s travelled away to Emyvale side Drumlin Youths. Monaghan started the game off at hi-tempo with forwards Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Eoin O’Hanlon and Dylan O’Reilly stretching the Drumlin defence, but were finding it hard to find a breakthrough in the match. Midway through the first half Drumlin were pressing hard but with Robin Pratt-Clarke and Cian Brennan in centre back, Blake Lees and Fionan O’Gallchoir in fullback, being protected by Patrick Treanor, Monaghan were proving to be a defensive force as time and time again they set up a defensive wall which the home side were struggling to break through. Monaghans midfield where starting to take full control with Fabian Kaminsky, Patrick Treanor and Michael McMarrow beginning to dominate, using wingers Cian Bradley-Gillepsie and Eoin O’Hanlon as attacking wide outlets. Monaghans first real chance came when Eoin O’Hanlon sent in a dangerous corner, Fabian Kaminsky connected with a header only to be denied by the Drumlin goalkeeper. Monaghan were looking to make the most of their set piece as Dylan O’Reilly found Michael McMorrow with a corner only for Micheal to narrowly head over the bar. Minutes before half time Drumlin found a breakthrough on goal but goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle was quick off his line and cleared the ball from the oncoming striker. 0-0 at half time as chances were limited.
The second half kicked off the same way the first half finished with chances coming few and far between. It was 50 / 50 in the middle of the park as midfielders Michael McMorrow, Patrick Treanor and Shane Freeman where forced to work hard defensively, by good pressure from the Drumlin side. Drumlins pressure proved vital as against the run of play, they latched onto a defensive error and looped a long shot into the top of Monaghans net. 1-0 to the home side. Monaghan looked to press forward for an equaliser, but forwards Dylan O’Reilly, Cian Bradley-Gillespie and Eoin O’Hanlon were denied on numerous occasions. In the dying moments of the match Monaghan pushed centre backs Cian Brennan, Robin Pratt-Clarke and Conal Harpin forward for a series of corner kicks, but Drumlin were defending well. The away side had a real chance to equalise as forward Dylan O’Reilly drilled in a deep freekick, it was met by defender Robin Pratt-Clarke who was unlucky not to send the ball into the net. 1-0 the game finished as Drumlin progress into the Semi-Final.
Monaghans Man of the Match award goes to centre back Cian Brennan after he put in a dominating defensive performance in defence and then midfield, forming a strong defensive partnership alongside Robin Pratt-Clarke.
Monaghans United U-13’s Next Fixture to be Announced.
Man of The Match: Cian Brennan
Team: Ciaran Doyle, Blake Lees, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Cian Brennan, Conal Harpin, Shane Freeman, Fionan O’Gallchoir, Patrick Treanor (C), Josh Kelly, Darragh McKenna, Michael McMorrow, Fabian Kaminksy, Lewis Brady, Dylan O’Reilly, Cian Bradley-Gillespie, Eoin O’Hanlon
Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan
Monaghan United U-14's 