Monaghan United 0 - 1 Drogheda United

It may have been a Good Friday elsewhere but it didn’t feel like one at Gortakeegan when Mick Cooke returned with his Drogheda United side, who looked a lot like last year’s Monaghan United team, took all three points in a one nil victory over the Mons.

A Declan O’Brien lone goal was the difference between the sides after 43 minutes and despite Monaghan United getting gifted a numerical advantage, the scoreline stayed that way.

The first clear cut chance of the game came from ex-Monaghan United player Sean Brennan when he took a shot from a free kick from about 30 yards out but Chris Bennion managed to spill it out to the side for Mons to clear it. 

Monaghan United didn’t rest on their laurels and pushed forward in an effort to put the home side in front with Garreth O’Connor getting the first opportunity when he was at the receiving end of a neat Owen Humphrey back heeler but as his shot curled goalwards Brian Gannon managed to clear.

In the 23^rd minute Jordan Keegan headed the ball just over the bar from a Garreth O’Connor cross as the Northerners continued to take control of the game. 

In an end to end game it then looked like Sean Brennan would break the deadlock against his old club but he was deemed off side much to the relief of the large home support.  

Roddy Collins was forced into making his first change of the match when Aidan Collins pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury and he had to replace him with Willo McDonagh with less than a half an hour played.

This seemed to be a sign of weakness to the Drogheda United team and one that they tried to exploit and very nearly did with Sean Brennan winning free not far from edge of box in the 35^th minute but he sent it wide of the mark. Minutes later Brian Gannon set up Declan O’Brien with a great opportunity but O’Brien scuffed it and sent the ball out for a goal kick.

Again Drogheda came close on the 40^th minute when Sean Brennan crossed to Declan O’Brien but he sent it trickling just wide of the post.

Three minutes later and Drogheda took the lead. Declan O’Brien exploited a defensive mistake and took on Chris Bennion with only one possible winner and it wasn’t the Monaghan United ‘keeper.

As the first half wound down the younger of the Brennan brothers, Ryan Brennan, received his marching orders for tackle on Robert Bayly. Mons got a free but failed to make it count leaving the half time score in Drogheda’s favour.   

Monaghan United came out all guns blazing in the 2^nd half and within minutes were creating chances. They came close in the 46^th minute and Jordan Keegan took another corner but was unable to find anyone to send the ball to the back of the net.

Chris Bennion continued to be tested by the Drogheda strike force but he was not found wanting again no matter what they threw at him. Two minutes past the hour mark Monaghan United substitute Daniel McGuinness showed some tenacity and won the ball back when cornered on the side lines by Shane Grimes. He found Jordan Keegan who passed it back to him but Under 19 player McGuinness was taken off the ball in a foul tackle by Shane Grimes who was shown a yellow card for his efforts.   

Monaghan United didn’t really take advantage of having an extra man on the pitch and although they had most of the ball, Mick Cooke as usual had his team well schooled and they had their defence locked down making it almost impossible for the Mons to break through. 

Monaghan United’s Darragh Reynor took a chance from well out in the 73^rd minute but Gabriel Sava carried off a classy save. Mons pushed forward again and Conor Murphy went into the box and was taken down but managed to get up and play on and send the ball to Sava’s waiting arms. No penalty was given. 

With both teams testing their opponents continuously, John Breen was the next man to have a go. He shot but sent the ball wide off the mark. Moments later and Monaghan United’s Conor Murphy had a chance to equalise but Sava managed to get a finger to it and push it over the bar.

Controversy arose in the 82^nd minute when Jordan Keegan shot over the bar after it looked like Monaghan United should have been given a free on the edge of the box. Two minutes later and the effervescent Jordan Keegan made a fantastic run and danced around the Drogheda defence but Gabriel Sava managed to get to it. The ball slipped from his hands to the feet of Conor Murphy but Murphy wasted his chance by hitting it back into Sava’s hands.

The game rumbled to a close with Monaghan United having the ball and Conor Murphy coming close to finding the much needed goal in the 93 minute but his shot at a tight angle went over the crossbar.

A disappointing result for Monaghan United who still haven’t managed to get a win in the Premier Division but a great night for Mick Cooke and his team of former Mons as they hold onto 3^rd place after tonight’s victory. 

Monaghan United: Chris Bennion; Paul Whelan, Alan Byrne (Roddy Collins 39), Stephen Maher, Aidan Collins (William McDonagh 27); Darragh Reynor, Garreth O’Connor, Robert Bayly, Jordan Keegan; Conor Murphy, Owen Humphrey (Daniel McGuinness 50).

Subs not used: Keith Quinn, Tony Griffiths, Michael Schlingermann, Jason Marks.

Bookings: A Byrne (21), McDonagh (41), Reynor (60).

Drogheda United: Gabriel Sava; Stephen Quigley, Derek Prendergast, Alan McNally, Shane Grimes; Brian Gannon, Eric Foley, Gavin Brennan, Ryan Brennan; Sean Brennan (Johnny Breen 66), Declan O’Brien (Philip Hand 57).

Subs not used: Shane Finnegan, Chris Kerr, Dean Marshall, Peter Hynes, Mark O’Brien.

Bookings: Grimes (62), Gannon (88).

Sent Off: R Brennan (45).

Referee: Neil Doyle.