Monaghan United 6 - 1 Kildare County

• Peter Hughes
• Sat, Oct 17 2009


A rapid-fire Karl Bermingham hat-trick turned a potential embarrassment for Monaghan United into their most emphatic win of the season when they came from behind to pummel an initially impressive but ultimately abject Kildare County by six goals to one at Kingspan Century Park.

County started with a purpose that belied their basement status, and defender Liam Tiernan thumped a 7th minute header off the United crossbar from David Jackson’s cross. And Craig Purcell wasted a great early chance when totally misdirecting a header from the edge of the six-yard box.

Monaghan eventually came to terms with the physically imposing style that Kildare tried to impose upon them.

Nippy winger Barry Clancy began to torment the visitors on the left flank, but although he provided a steady supply of crosses to the back post United were unable to profit, coming closest when Paul Whelan arrived late but directed his header past the post from close range.

County threatened again just before half time, with Tiernan’s headed effort deflecting away for a corner, and the defender driving over the crossbar when Jackson’s cross broke to him on the edge of the box.

Kildare maintained their momentum on the resumption and were ahead by the 50th minute. Philip Hughes, a former Mons favourite, weaved his way into the box and found the bottom corner with a cool finish.

Three minutes later David Freeman burst through for Monaghan and cracked a shot off the bar, Clancy heading the rebound wide. Intense United pressure paid off in the 59th minute when, after Cathal O’Connor had a succession of shots blocked, Bermingham thumped home an emphatic equaliser. United maintained their higher tempo, and Bermingham profited, outpacing the Kildare backline to grab two quick strikes in the 64th and 66th minutes.

Bermingham then turned provider, teeing up striker partner David Freeman for an easy finish (76). The fifth was all Freeman’s own work, a terrific curling finish after impressive close control in a crowded penalty area (82).

A totally demoralised Kildare, who had replaced starting goalkeeper Darren Kelly with Sean Geoghegan as the goals began to rain in, were virtually defenceless after that and only slapdash Monaghan finishing prevented them running up a cricket score.

Cathal O’Connor completed the punishment from close range in the 86th minute.

Monaghan United: Kennedy; Whelan, Flynn, Gartland, Grimes (Hanaphy 78); O’Connor, Byrne, McCrossan, Clancy; Bermingham, Freeman.

Kildare County: Kelly (Geoghegan 78); Walsh, Tiernan, Coleman, Doran; Byrne, O’Brien, Jackson, Purcell (Kinsella 71); Farrell (Powderly 65), Hughes.

Referee: R Rogers