Monaghan United 2 - 2 Sporting Fingal

• Peter Hughes
• Fri, Oct 02 2009


A 2-2 scoreline at Kingspan Century Park put a dent in Sporting Fingal’s First Division promotion prospects, but the visitors were ultimately lucky to hold onto a point against a resilient Monaghan United who made light of the absence of a number of key players through injury and suspension.

Liam Buckley’s men were hesitant in the opening stages of a game in which a heavy swirling wind was to work its influence. Monaghan took a deserved 15th minute lead when Darragh Hanaphy finished with aplomb from David Freeman’s deft pass. Freeman missed a great 23rd minute chance to extend United’s advantage, getting too little power on his eight-yard effort and allowing Chris Konopka to make a scrambling save.

Fingal found their footing after that, stunning United with two quick goals – Conan Byrne’s impressive free-kick on 26 minutes being followed up by Alan Kirby’s spectacular volleyed strike from John Frost’s cross on 28 minutes.

Monaghan had to batten down the hatches until half-time, Shaun Williams and Gary O’Neill coming close to extending the visitors’ advantage.

But Mick Cooke sent his men out fighting in the second half and United took control of the game, deservedly equalising in the 68th minute when Alan Byrne met Cathal O’Connor’s cross from the right wing with a powerhouse header that had crossed the line before Stephen Paisley hooked clear.

Freeman and Byrne both had excellent chances in the closing stages to win it for Monaghan, but the most spectacular moment of the game was supplied by United’s Wolves-bound goalkeeper Aaron McCarey. A punt upfield by the Republic of Ireland U-17 international was transformed by the wind into a shot on goal that almost bounced into the top corner before Konopka clawed it over the crossbar.

Monaghan United: McCarey; McKevitt, Lynch, Flynn, Grimes; O’Connor, McCrossan, Byrne, Hanaphy; Bermingham, Freeman.

Sporting Fingal: Konopka; Gannon, Paisley, Maher, Frost; C Byrne, Williams, Kirby (Foley 86), McFaul; O’Neill (Doyle 81), Zayed.

Referee: D Hanney