- Deniese O'Flaherty
- Fri, Jun 27 2008
A first half strike from Robbie Collins helped Monaghan United move to within one point of fifth placed Longford Town. Collins strike one minute from the break was totally against the run of play after his side were completely over-run in the first half.
This was the Town’s first league visit to this ground in six years. Their last visit was when both sides were in the Premier Division. Monaghan were relegated that season while Longford Town beat First Division side Finn Harps in sudden death penalties in the relegation/promotion play-off.
Longford enjoyed the majority of possession in the first 45 minutes of this game and created a number of chances. Monaghan offered very little and were content in soaking up the pressure. In the 7th minute Lynch had an effort on goal and two minutes later the same player again had a chance but this time his curling shot got a slight deflection out for a corner.
Darren McKenna also had a chance in the 17th minute. Iarfhlaith Davoren played the ball into McKenna who turned past Brian Gartland and swung in a low cross which just dipped over the crossbar. The only time Town keeper Neil Gallagher had to touch the ball from a Monaghan effort in the opening minutes was in the 23rd minute but Darren Meenan’s free-kick from the left was easily handled by Gallagher.
The best chance of the opening half arrived in the 32nd minute. Lynch played the ball over the top of the Monaghan defence to McKenna. The big striker lifted his shot over the advancing Monaghan keeper Brendan Kennedy but the ball narrowly sailed over the bar.
Totally against the run of play the home side broke the deadlock with just one minute of the first half remaining. Stephen McCrossan played the ball into Robbie Collins who beat Gallagher with a lovely strike.
Seconds into the second half, the Town had three chances in quick succession to get back on level terms. Former Monaghan star McKenna had a good shot that was saved by Kennedy after being played in by Davoren. Then Davoren had a shot that was cleared off the line by Ian Malone. From the loose ball Lynch’s shot appeared to strike the arm of a Monaghan defender but amazingly referee Phil Caschera turned down very legitimate claims for a penalty.
Unlike the first half where they were totally outplayed Monaghan started to gather momentum and dominated quite a lot of the play. They also had good chances to extend their lead. Robbie Collins brought a very good save out of Neil Gallagher in the 63rd minute with a powerful shot.
One minute later Collins had another chance to double his side’s lead. Substitute David Scully headed the ball into the path of Collins who took on the Town defence but dragged his shot wide. Gallagher had to be alert to Paul Whelan’s header in the 74th minute and the loose ball was cleared off the line by a Town defender.
Longford defender Daithi Garry had an opportunity to try and trouble Mons keeper Kennedy in the 82nd minute but his first time volley from an Evan Connolly cross was way off target.
Monaghan United: Brendan Kennedy; Paul Whelan, Brian Gartland, Kevin Williamson, Ian Malone, Aaron Mooney, Dom Tierney, Darren Meenan (David Scully 57), Ian Maher, Robbie Collins (Eoin Lanigan 79), Stephen McCrossan (James Hand 57).
Subs not used: Wayne Byrne and Danny Woods.
Booked: Dom Tierney (36), James Hand (59).
Longford Town: Neil Gallagher; Daithi Garry, Daire Doyle, Ronan Frawley, Ryan O’Donnell (Alan O'Riordan 74); Gary Murphy, Damien Rushe, Luke Hardy, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Alan Lynch (Evan Connolly 69), Darren McKenna.
Subs not used: Jimmy Hussey, Andy Bermingham, Shay Kelly.
Referee: Phil Caschera (Dublin).
