In their second friendly of the season, Monaghan United U-14’s kicked off in Goretkeegan against local side Clones Town. The game started off at a very high pace when midfielder Jake McGeough received the ball out wide, his cross found forward Eoin O’Hanlon who fired home, only to see his goal disallowed for offside. Minutes later Monaghan went close once again when midfielder Tomas Galvin crossed for forward Eoin O’Hanlon, but his header was denied by a fine save. Monaghan were looking hungry when Jake McGeough teed up Captain Patrick Treanor who went close with a long range effort. Jake McGeough had started the game at a very high pace and again he soon found forward Dara McKenna with a through ball, Dara took the ball in his stride but his effort was forced wide by pressure from the Clones defence. The home side kept the high pace going and soon found a breakthrough when new signing Tomas Galvin, robbed a Clones defender, he used his skill and trickery to turn the defender before slotting home his first goal in a Monaghan jersey. Clones looked to respond to going behind but Monaghans defensive unit containing Blake Lees, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Cian Brennan, and Fionan O’Gallchoir, were in no mood to concede as they were equalling anything fired their way as chances came few and far between for the home side as Monaghan defended well. Moments later Monaghan found their second when Jake McGeough found Tomas Galvin who fired a long range shot past the Clones goalkeeper. 2-0 to the home side. Their next chance came when Dara McKenna nodded down to forward Fionnan O’Braonain whos shot went narrowly close. The new look Monaghan side were dominating in possession and looked hungry to add to their two early goals when midfielder Thomas Keenan fed a ball wide to Jake McGeough, Jake used his initiative and tried to lob an unexpectant goalkeeper only to see his effort sail over the bar. Monaghan thought they had increased their lead when Jake McGeough slide a ball through to Dara McKenna who fired home, only to see another goal disallowed by an offside decision. Fionnan O’Braonain decided to drift inside to receive more of the ball, his movement proved a nuisance in the Clones defence when he was tackled just outside the box. Up stepped new signing Tomas Galvin who sailed his freekick into the top corner of the net. 3-0 to Monaghan and a debut hat-trick for the new Monaghan player. On the day Jake McGeough seemed to be setting up everyone for a strike on goal when he played the ball to Thomas Keenan, his long shot was denied by an impressive save from the Clones goalkeeper. Jake then turned from provider to goalscoring when wingback Blake Lees bombed forward and swung in a deep cross, Jake rose to head into the back of the net only to see Monaghan denied for a third time by a disallowed offside goal. 3-0 the scoreline at halftime as the home side impressed.
The second half continued on with Monaghan dominating early on. Forward Eoin O’Hanlon took the ball out of the air with a great touch, his strike lobbed over the goalkeeper from range just to see his strike sail over the bar. In footballing terms Monaghan were playing some of the best football this team has produced and near found a fourth when Jake McGeough fired wide. Monaghans fourth did come moments later when Josh Kelly linked up well down the left wing before finding Eoin O’Hanlon whos strike curled into the bottom right hand corner of the net. 4-0 to Monaghan. Even though Monaghan were playing some great football they were able to up their tempo, led by Captain Patrick Treanor in the heart of their midfield, who fed the ball through to Dara McKenna whos shot fired wide. Patrick Treanor was leading the team from deep when he slide in and won the ball before slipping a defence splitting pass wide to Fionnan O’Braonain, Fionnan took a touch and when everyone expected a cross, Fionnan had other ideas as he looped a strike straight into the top corner from wide. 5-0 to Monaghan who were buzzing. Fionnan O’Braonain found the ball once again, he sent Dara McKenna through with a long ball, Dara then fired home his 3rd goal in two games, and Monaghans sixth of the night. Monaghan kept pushing on and on as Eoin O’Hanlon, Josh Kelly & Tomas Galvin all went close with efforts on goal. The home side found themselves unlucky once again as Dara McKenna teed up Eoin O’Hanlon, who seen his second goal of the night disallowed by an offside call. Monaghans last chance of the game came when Fionan O’Gallachoir broke forward down the left, he linked up well with Josh Kelly before the latter seen his effort fired narrowly wide. 6-0 the game finish after a strong performance from the homeside.
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 midfielder Tomas Galvin, who on his debut in a Monaghan jersey, scored an impressive 3 goals and impressed throughout with his smart linkup play.
Monaghans United U-14’s Next Fixture to be Announced
Man of The Match: Tomas Galvin
Goals: Tomas Galvin (3), Dara McKenna, Fionan O’Braonain, Eoin O’Hanlon
Team: Donal Moyna, Blake Lees, Robin Pratt-Clarke, Cian Brennan, Fionan O’Gallachoir, Patrick Treanor (C), Thomas Keenan, Josh Kelly, Jake McGeough, Tomas Galvin, Fionnan O’Braonain, Eoin O’Hanlon, Dara McKenna
Managers: Conor Finnegan, Brian Finnegan
Monaghan United U-14's 