Longford Town FC -v- Monaghan United FC
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Monaghan United’s shrewdly-built squad enter competitive battle for the first time when they tackle Longford Town at Flancare Park in the League of Ireland First Division on Saturday night (kick-off 7.30pm).
Buying experience
Monaghan manager Mick Cooke has bought well during the winter, acquiring a number of experienced players. Among those is Aidan Lynch, who captained Dundalk to the First Division title last November, as well as former Longford strikers Darren McKenna, who netted 13 times for the Midlanders last season, and Dave Freeman, who spent last term at runners-up Shelbourne. Karl Bermingham has also entered from Waterford United, while another likely to impress is 21-year-old Shane Grimes, who was a team-mate of Lynch’s at Oriel Park last season.
Cooke confident
As a result of the squad-building process at Kingspan Century Park during the close season, many have pinpointed Monaghan as possible dark horses for promotion, and Cooke is hoping to kick-off the campaign in positive fashion. "I am looking forward to getting the new season started,” he said. “We had a very busy pre-season and had some great workouts in friendlies. We have put in a lot of preparation and the new squad has gelled well together so I hope to get a positive result in Longford. There was little between the two sides last year, they started better but we had the stronger finish to the season.”
Cutting teeth
Alan Gough is the latest manager to land at Longford, who had Vinny Perth in charge for the latter part of last season after Aaron Callaghan resigned following a 3-0 home defeat by Monaghan in August. That victory, incidentally, was the middle leg of a three-game winning sequence that Cooke’s men have put together against their opponents. Gough, who will take charge of his first ever competitive match in football after retiring from playing last year, has also brought in some interesting players, the most eye-catching being former Galway United striker Derek Glynn.
Gough ‘delighted’
“We’ve got a set of lads that are committed and pull in the one direction,” Gough told the Longford Leader. “And we as a football club are pulling in the one direction. We’ll give anyone a game. We’ve been back since 24 January and we’ve basically had a new squad of players with the exception of Andy Bermingham and Stephen Gough from last year. We’ve worked very hard in trying to gel them as a group and they are finally coming together now. I’ll take them anywhere; Sporting Fingal, Bohs, anywhere. It doesn’t frighten me. I’m delighted with the group that we got.
Supporter appreciation
“Our aim is to be competitive in every game and give a good account of ourselves,” he added. “Not only for myself and the players but so people of Longford can take great pride in the performance. There is a massive onus on ‘respect’. I had it as a player and my players will have it towards themselves and to our supporters. Wherever they go they will be applauded for their time, effort and spending their money to go to the game. Supporting the team will be appreciated by my team.” For Saturday’s match, neither team has any enforced absentees.
Buying experience
Monaghan manager Mick Cooke has bought well during the winter, acquiring a number of experienced players. Among those is Aidan Lynch, who captained Dundalk to the First Division title last November, as well as former Longford strikers Darren McKenna, who netted 13 times for the Midlanders last season, and Dave Freeman, who spent last term at runners-up Shelbourne. Karl Bermingham has also entered from Waterford United, while another likely to impress is 21-year-old Shane Grimes, who was a team-mate of Lynch’s at Oriel Park last season.
Cooke confident
As a result of the squad-building process at Kingspan Century Park during the close season, many have pinpointed Monaghan as possible dark horses for promotion, and Cooke is hoping to kick-off the campaign in positive fashion. "I am looking forward to getting the new season started,” he said. “We had a very busy pre-season and had some great workouts in friendlies. We have put in a lot of preparation and the new squad has gelled well together so I hope to get a positive result in Longford. There was little between the two sides last year, they started better but we had the stronger finish to the season.”
Cutting teeth
Alan Gough is the latest manager to land at Longford, who had Vinny Perth in charge for the latter part of last season after Aaron Callaghan resigned following a 3-0 home defeat by Monaghan in August. That victory, incidentally, was the middle leg of a three-game winning sequence that Cooke’s men have put together against their opponents. Gough, who will take charge of his first ever competitive match in football after retiring from playing last year, has also brought in some interesting players, the most eye-catching being former Galway United striker Derek Glynn.
Gough ‘delighted’
“We’ve got a set of lads that are committed and pull in the one direction,” Gough told the Longford Leader. “And we as a football club are pulling in the one direction. We’ll give anyone a game. We’ve been back since 24 January and we’ve basically had a new squad of players with the exception of Andy Bermingham and Stephen Gough from last year. We’ve worked very hard in trying to gel them as a group and they are finally coming together now. I’ll take them anywhere; Sporting Fingal, Bohs, anywhere. It doesn’t frighten me. I’m delighted with the group that we got.
Supporter appreciation
“Our aim is to be competitive in every game and give a good account of ourselves,” he added. “Not only for myself and the players but so people of Longford can take great pride in the performance. There is a massive onus on ‘respect’. I had it as a player and my players will have it towards themselves and to our supporters. Wherever they go they will be applauded for their time, effort and spending their money to go to the game. Supporting the team will be appreciated by my team.” For Saturday’s match, neither team has any enforced absentees.
