Monaghan United 2 - 0 Athlone Town

• Peter Hughes
• Mon, Sep 13 2010


Two goals from Sean Brennan gave Monaghan United the thrill of reaching the summit of the Airtricity First Division when they overcame with some ease an Athlone Town side handicapped by the sending off of striker Declan O’Brien at the outset of the second half.

Rearranged because of Monaghan’s involvement in the FAI Ford Cup quarter-finals next weekend, the fixture gave Mick Cooke’s side the opportunity to gain a psychological advantage over title rivals Derry City and they took full advantage, playing some composed passing football in very adverse weather conditions.

The wet and blustery backdrop to the game always made it likely that error rather than creativity would have a decisive influence. And so it proved after 15 minutes when a wayward clearance from the Town defence allowed Cathal O’Connor to penetrate from the right flank and cross for Brennan whose finish from close range was assured.

United almost reciprocated the gift in the 17th minute when keeper Gabriel Sava and centre-half Conor McMahon collided on the edge of the box and were fortunate to see the ball spin behind for an unproductive Athlone corner. Two minutes later O’Brien teed up Denis Moran who scuffed his shot just past the post when in prime position to strike the equaliser.

Town were made rue the miss on 27 minutes. Brennan swept through from midfield, and with visiting goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann on a death-or-glory dash from his line, timed his finish perfectly to extend United’s advantage.

The mercurial Brennan attempted to clinch his hat-trick in spectacular fashion two minutes from half-time, a shot from all of 30 yards seeing Schlingermann backtrack to scramble the ball out from under the bar.

Two minutes into the second half Town were hit with an insuperable setback. O’Brien followed through with his studs up in a challenge for the ball with United defender Brian Gartland and referee Paul McLaughlin brandished the red card. Town were spirited in trying to overcome the numerical deficit, Moran bringing a fine diving save from Sava, and Austin Skelly glancing a header from Moran’s cross which Sava also stopped well.

Schlingermann dived bravely at the feet of Brennan to prevent him scoring his third, but generally United were content to cling to possession without attempting to add to their tally. They livened up in attack with the introduction of Darragh Hanaphy, and his smart shot on the turn brought another adroit save from the busy Schlingermann.

Town Substitute Paddy Clancy made a vital interception in the 83rd minute as Hanaphy’s cross looked destined to find either the unmarked O’Connor or Ian McNeill in the box. And in added time Schlingermann’s reactions proved sound once more when another Hanaphy cross took a wicked deflection off David Breen.

Monaghan United: Sava; Collins, McMahon, Gartland (Whelan 62), Grimes; O’Connor, Tierney, Byrne, Clancy; Brennan (McNeill 78); Hughes (Hanaphy 72).
Subs not used: McCrossan, Costigan.

Athlone Town: Schlingermann; Nolan, Breen, Hope (Collins 46), Colbert; Malony (Haran 58), Moran, Kenna (Relihan 34), Fitzgerald; O’Brien, Skelly.
Subs not used: Gaynor, Farrell.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin