Monaghan United 2 - 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Credit:
Republic of Ireland U-19 international goalkeeper Aaron McCarey was the centre of attention at Gortakeegan as his Wolverhampton Wanderers side run out 3-2 victors over his former club Monaghan United in a highly entertaining friendly encounter staged before a packed house.
McCarey, lining out for a Wolves selection comprised of their academy players, had a busy workout prior to joining his colleagues in the international squad in Romania, with a Mons experimental eleven, boasting a number of new signings and trialists, pushing the Premiership representatives all the way.
United started the game in lively fashion, full-back Paul Whelan bursting forward to send a volley whistling over the crossbar in the second minute, but they were soon forced on the defensive by a Wolves side that didn’t take long to put the pieces of their elegant passing game together.
Wolves’ Northern Ireland international John Gorman was at the heart of much of their early attacking play, getting on the end of a fine move at the near post in the tenth minute and only denied by an excellent save from Mark Grace, whose audition in the Mons No.1 jersey went from strength to strength as the half progressed.
McCarey was called into his first serious action in the 18th minute, going full stretch to deny Roddy Collins’ new signing Jordan Keegan. The save was an important one, with Wolves unfolding a splendid length of the pitch passing movement culminating in Jack Price rifling them into the lead.
Some of the Molineux men’s passing play after that was mesmerising, and Grace kept his side in the match for a period as he made outstanding stops to deny Jake Cassidy and Liam McAlinden, and produced a reaction save of real quality when Cassidy attempted to pounce again from close range.
The Mons weathered the storm, and carved out an excellent equaliser opportunity in the 37th minute, Paul Byrne cleverly dummying Paul Whelan’s low cross to set up Ryan Brennan. The midfielder, perfectly positioned 14 yards out, stubbed his shot, however, allowing McCarey to execute an easy save.
Roddy Collins made nine changes for the second half, and his team were only getting on first name terms when the Wolves struck again, Sam Winnall, who has played Carling Cup football for Mick McCarthy’s first team, producing a quality finish in the 47th minute.
After this uncertain beginning, however, the second half United cast-list, playing in a more adventurous 4-3-3 formation, began to ask serious questions of the young Wolves defence.
Michael Isichei started to wreak havoc on the right flank, and it was from his cross in the 57th minute that Garbhan McKenna volleyed past McCarey to put his side back in the game.
Winnall sent a fearsome shot wide as Wolves sought to reassert their dominance, but the visitors were rocked in the 70th minute when Isichei hurt them once more, his cross from the right this time finding David Byrne in the box. As the Wolves defenders hesitated, Byrne was able to pick his spot and draw United on level terms to a great reaction from the large home support.
The visitors appreciably upped their tempo, and only outstanding defending from Reece McAteer prevented Winnall from claiming a second. Powerhouse Nat Mendez Laing had a wicked shot steered off course by a deflection, but Wolves regained the lead in the 79th minute, a down-the-middle attack ending with Price teeing up Liam McAlinden for a precise finish.
The Premiership side finished the stronger, but Austin O’Neill, United’s second half netminder, made some outstanding stops in the final stages, holding the scoreline to a margin that reflected United’s spirited second half performance.
MONAGHAN UNITED: Mark Grace; Paul Whelan, Reece McAteer, Philip Byrne, Jason Marks; Rod Collins, Niall Crosby, Ryan Brennan, Jordan Keegan; Paul Byrne, Keith Quinn.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Aaron McCarey; David Davis, Michael Ihiekwe, Danny Bath, Ashley Hemmings; Louis Harris, Jack Price, John Gorman, Liam McAlinden; Jake Cassidy, James Spray.
Substitutes were:
MONAGHAN UNITED: Eric Foley, Michael Isichei, Kevin Loughran, Alan Byrne, Austin O’Neill, David Crosby, David Byrne, Fergal McMahon, Garbhan McKenna (all half-time); Aidan Lynch (58).
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Sam Winnall, Nat Mendez Laing (half-time); Jamie Reckord (64); Aljaz Cotman (for McCarey, 88).
Referee: Paul McLoughlin (Donegal).
McCarey, lining out for a Wolves selection comprised of their academy players, had a busy workout prior to joining his colleagues in the international squad in Romania, with a Mons experimental eleven, boasting a number of new signings and trialists, pushing the Premiership representatives all the way.
United started the game in lively fashion, full-back Paul Whelan bursting forward to send a volley whistling over the crossbar in the second minute, but they were soon forced on the defensive by a Wolves side that didn’t take long to put the pieces of their elegant passing game together.
Wolves’ Northern Ireland international John Gorman was at the heart of much of their early attacking play, getting on the end of a fine move at the near post in the tenth minute and only denied by an excellent save from Mark Grace, whose audition in the Mons No.1 jersey went from strength to strength as the half progressed.
McCarey was called into his first serious action in the 18th minute, going full stretch to deny Roddy Collins’ new signing Jordan Keegan. The save was an important one, with Wolves unfolding a splendid length of the pitch passing movement culminating in Jack Price rifling them into the lead.
Some of the Molineux men’s passing play after that was mesmerising, and Grace kept his side in the match for a period as he made outstanding stops to deny Jake Cassidy and Liam McAlinden, and produced a reaction save of real quality when Cassidy attempted to pounce again from close range.
The Mons weathered the storm, and carved out an excellent equaliser opportunity in the 37th minute, Paul Byrne cleverly dummying Paul Whelan’s low cross to set up Ryan Brennan. The midfielder, perfectly positioned 14 yards out, stubbed his shot, however, allowing McCarey to execute an easy save.
Roddy Collins made nine changes for the second half, and his team were only getting on first name terms when the Wolves struck again, Sam Winnall, who has played Carling Cup football for Mick McCarthy’s first team, producing a quality finish in the 47th minute.
After this uncertain beginning, however, the second half United cast-list, playing in a more adventurous 4-3-3 formation, began to ask serious questions of the young Wolves defence.
Michael Isichei started to wreak havoc on the right flank, and it was from his cross in the 57th minute that Garbhan McKenna volleyed past McCarey to put his side back in the game.
Winnall sent a fearsome shot wide as Wolves sought to reassert their dominance, but the visitors were rocked in the 70th minute when Isichei hurt them once more, his cross from the right this time finding David Byrne in the box. As the Wolves defenders hesitated, Byrne was able to pick his spot and draw United on level terms to a great reaction from the large home support.
The visitors appreciably upped their tempo, and only outstanding defending from Reece McAteer prevented Winnall from claiming a second. Powerhouse Nat Mendez Laing had a wicked shot steered off course by a deflection, but Wolves regained the lead in the 79th minute, a down-the-middle attack ending with Price teeing up Liam McAlinden for a precise finish.
The Premiership side finished the stronger, but Austin O’Neill, United’s second half netminder, made some outstanding stops in the final stages, holding the scoreline to a margin that reflected United’s spirited second half performance.
MONAGHAN UNITED: Mark Grace; Paul Whelan, Reece McAteer, Philip Byrne, Jason Marks; Rod Collins, Niall Crosby, Ryan Brennan, Jordan Keegan; Paul Byrne, Keith Quinn.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Aaron McCarey; David Davis, Michael Ihiekwe, Danny Bath, Ashley Hemmings; Louis Harris, Jack Price, John Gorman, Liam McAlinden; Jake Cassidy, James Spray.
Substitutes were:
MONAGHAN UNITED: Eric Foley, Michael Isichei, Kevin Loughran, Alan Byrne, Austin O’Neill, David Crosby, David Byrne, Fergal McMahon, Garbhan McKenna (all half-time); Aidan Lynch (58).
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Sam Winnall, Nat Mendez Laing (half-time); Jamie Reckord (64); Aljaz Cotman (for McCarey, 88).
Referee: Paul McLoughlin (Donegal).
