Monaghan United 5 - 1 Longford Town

This game really was a horror show for Longford Town in Monaghan as they fell to a heavy defeat to the home side. It all went wrong for the visitors when they conceded a goal just on the stroke of half-time to go in at the break 2-1 behind.

Longford Town didn’t emerge for the second half because there was just one team in it as Monaghan went about cementing sixth place in the First Division. They played some lovely attacking football and they went about punishing silly defensive errors by the Town.

Manager Vinny Perth wanted to give fringe players a chance to prove themselves in the game and gave John McGuinness a start in goals and Stephen Brennan partnered Andy Bermingham in defence, Gary Murphy also started on the wing with Neil Gallagher, Ronan Frawley and Daire Doyle all dropping to the bench.

It was the home side that started the brighter and had three good chances within the opening fifteen minutes; Darragh Hanaphy involved in all three of them. Six minutes had gone on the clock when Hanaphy had his first effort on goal. Lucky for Vinny Perth’s side Stephen Brennan timed his tackle perfectly and the ball was cleared.

Three minutes later and Hanaphy again had a chance to open the scoring but this time he blasted his shot from about 25yards out over the bar. In the 14th minute the striker turned provider but Andy Bermingham made a timely intervention when Andy Haran had a chance to shoot in front of goal.

Town gradually came more into the game with Robert Douglas causing a few problems for the home defence. Town ‘keeper John McGuinness was lucky not to be punished in the 24th minute after he rushed out of goals to block down Haran’s shot but missed, the striker rounded McGuinness but his effort just bounced wide of the far post.

Less than two minutes later the deadlock was broken. Mons were awarded a free kick about 30 yards out and Sean Brennan duly obliged with a sweetly struck kick that gave McGuiness no chance.

The home side could’ve doubled their advantage minutes later through Haran but two minutes later the Town were back on level terms. Robert Douglas capitalised on a slip by Ian Malone, he played the ball into McKenna who shot home from close range for his 12th league goal of the season; another against his former club.

Mons regained the lead right on the stroke of half-time. Haran getting to the end of Barry Clancy’s cross to shoot past McGuinness.

Six minutes after the restart and Monaghan grabbed their third goal of the night. Cathal O’Connor was the provider for Hanaphy to score his second of the game.

Longford rang the changes and introduced Ronan Frawley and Jason Oladele. In the 62nd minute Frawley headed a Stephen Gough free kick just over. David Scully had a chance shortly after for Mons but his dipping shot just went over the crossbar.

Haran doubled his tally for the night in the 79th minute. The striker had an opportunity to grab a hat-trick on two occasions but McGuinness denied him. The misery was complete for Longford four minutes from time when substitute James Hand got Mons fifth of the night from close range.

Monaghan United: Brendan Kennedy; Barry Clancy, Aaron Mooney, Conor McMahon, Ian Mahon, Kevin Williamson; Dom Tierney (James Hand 69), Cathal O’Connor, Sean Brennan (Kieran Reilly 58); Darragh Hanaphy (Dave Scully 64), Andy Haran.
Subs not used: Ronan McGann, Brian Gartland.

Longford Town: John McGuinness; Stephen Gough, Stephen Brennan (Ronan Frawley 55), Andy Bermingham, Alan O’Riordan (Daire Doyle 67); Gary Murphy, Damien Rushe, Luke Hardy, Alan Lynch; Robert Douglas, Darren McKenna (Jason Oladele 58).
Subs not used: Neil Gallagher, Ken Butler.

Referee: Sean Grant (Dublin).