Dundalk 1 - 2 Monaghan United

Monaghan United claimed their first victory at Oriel Park since 2004 on Friday night. After falling behind to a goal after just 24 seconds, Mons hit back to score twice in the second half to earn a deserved victory against a disappointing Dundalk side.

It wasn’t long until we had the opening goal. Michael Rafter created the goal and duly finished it. Some great work by the striker created an opening and he found himself free on the edge of the box. He shot well past visiting ‘keeper Michael Schlingermann to give Dundalk the early lead.

Monaghan United should have equalised within seconds when they headed straight at Peter Cherrie. Gareth Coughlan should have made it two on three minutes when he volleyed over after good play from Eoghan Osborne. On 15 minutes, Stephen Maher scuffed his shot for Monaghan before Michael Rafter hit a shot wide on 17 for the hosts.

Stephen McDonnell had another chance for the home side but his creative chip went well over. Schlingermann was called into action once more as he brilliantly saved from Rafter’s header. Monaghan then began to threaten slightly more as they bombed forward in numbers before Rafter had yet another chance but his header went well over the bar.

William McDonagh had a chance to equalise for Mons on the stroke of half-time  but it went wide and Dundalk held out and went in ahead at the break.
 

Just three short minutes after the break Monaghan United equalised. The ball broke to Jordan Keegan who unleashed a beautiful strike from 20 yards. Within minutes Keegan should have doubled his tally when he found himself inside the six yard area with only Cherrie to beat but somehow he can’t make real contact and the ball goes harmlessly wide. Coughlan managed to get Dundalk’s first shot in the second half but it went just wide of Schlingermann’s left hand post. It wasn’t though long until Mons did go in front.

Some good play in midfield by Keith Quinn allowed Keegan to get forward. The through ball was inch perfect and Keegan had time and space to pick his spot as he calmly slotted home past ‘keeper Cherrie to give the visitors a deserved lead.
 

After that it was a real scrappy affair. Dundalk created very little apart from one attempted lob which almost caught Schlingermann out. Chris Shields almost got the equalising goal in injury time but Schlingermann went down well to save.
 

That was as close as it got though and Monaghan held on for a fully deserved victory.

 

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Ben McLaughlin, Liam Burns, Derek Foran, Eoghan Osborne; Gareth Coughlan (Chris Reilly 73), John Mountney, Chris Shields ©, Stephen McDonnell (Mark Griffin  65); Gary Shanahan (Bob McKenna 80), Michael Rafter.
Subs Not Used: Ger Hanley (GK),  Nathan Murphy, Kevin Loughran, Peter Thomas.
Bookings: McDonnell (65).

Monaghan United: Michael Schlingermann; Paul Whelan, Conor McMahon ©, Stephen Maher, Darragh Reynor; Keith Quinn, William McDonagh, Jordan Keegan, Jason Marks (Gareth O’Connor 46 (Owen Humphrey 87)); Conor Murphy (Bobby Ryan 67), Tony Griffiths.
SubsNot Used: Chris Bennion (GK), Roddy Collins, Shane Dunne, Leigh Dunne.

Bookings: McDonagh (53), Griffiths (65).

Referee: Neil Doyle.
Attendance: 600 (Estimate).
Extratime.ie man of the match: Jordan Keegan. Outstanding all evening, ultimately the match winner was always a threat and took his goals really well.