Kildare County 1-2 Monaghan United
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Monaghan United consolidated their sixth placed position in the table thanks to a deserved two one win over bottom side Kildare County at Station Road. A goal in either half saw them take a two goal lead. Kildare pulled one back with twenty minutes to go and put everything into trying to get a second- but Monaghan kept it together to register their second league win in a row - something they hadnt managed to do this season until now.
Kildare were fresh from a win over Wexford Youths last Monday and started the game brightly - however they didn't get much joy from a well organised Monaghan team.
On eighteen minutes, after wasting two good openings, the away side took the lead. The Kildare defence failed to deal with a well crossed corner and Monaghan defender Brian Gartland fired home. The home side failed to clear the ball, despite having chances to do so.
The Ulster side have had awful problems on the road this season, conceding a massive twenty seven goals in just ten games before tonight, however Kildare were finding in very hard to break down what looked in the main like a good defence. Ciaran Kilduff had a half chance near the end of the half but he shot wide after he chased a long defensive clearance.
Kildare were the better side at the beginning of the second half. They had no problem putting men forward and seemed keen to get back into the game sooner rather than later. One of Kildares many new signings Gregg Kilkenny forced the Monaghan keeper into a good save. As John Ryans side attacked more and more, they left themselves open to be caught out at the back. Dave Scully had a good chance, but Austin ONeill made a fine save.
Monaghan made it two nil after twenty minutes of the second half. They attacked quickly after Kildare lost possession. New signing Sean Brennan advanced without being challenged, and scored with a well placed shot that gave O'Neill not much of a chance.
Five minutes later Kildare pulled one back. Ger Robinson had only been brought on a few minutes earlier as a response to the games second goal. He scrambled home the goal from close range following a corner.
Philly Hughes was sent off after the game ended.
Prior to tonight's game Mick Cooke's side had picked up just the one league victory on the road all season, only managing to score four goals. So three points and two goals was a good nights work.
Kildare County: Austin O'Neill; Dave Vickery (Cathal Brady 46), David O'Connell, Paul Donnelly (Colin Osbourne 21), Colin Murray; Craig Mooney; Barry Slattery (Ger Robinson 67), Colin Fortune, Greg Kilkenny; Philly Hughes, Ciaran Kilduff.
Subs not used: Eoin Kavanagh.
Monaghan United: Brendan Kennedy; Paul Whelan, Aaron Mooney, Conor McMahon, Barry Clancy; Kieran Reilly (James Hand 64), Dom Tierney, Sean Brennan, Brian Gartland; Dave Scully, Eoin Lanigan (Andy Haran 56).
Subs not used: Danny Woods, Kevin Williamson, Darragh Hanaphy.
Referee: Andrew Maher.
