Monaghan United -v- Derry City

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, May 07 2010


Third placed Monaghan United take on First Division leaders Derry City at Gortakeegan on Friday night and will be looking to end a run of seven straight wins for the ‘Candystripes’. (kick off 8pm)

Derry have emerged as the team to beat in recent weeks, hammering Wexford Youths 5-1, inflicting Shelbourne’s first defeat of the season and putting seven past Salthill Devon last weekend. But Monaghan are forging a formidable reputation of their own.

Before dropping two points at Mervue last Monday, Monaghan had won their previous four games taking the scalps of Cork City Foras Co-op and Waterford United along the way. And that’s not to mention their 6-1 thumping of Salthill Devon.

Monaghan will again be without defender Shane Grimes and wide midfielder Darragh Hanaphy but, with Mick Cooke being able to select the same starting eleven for their last four league games, the Mons have the benefit of a settled and confident side.

Mon’s boss Cooke is well aware of the threat that Derry pose, ”I have no doubt that they will be the toughest opposition that we will encounter this season. It’s not surprising that they are top of the table, were it not for events elsewhere they would still be in the Premier Division, their class and performance is of that Division.”

But Derry will know that Cooke’s men are perhaps best placed among the Division’s challengers to upset their unbeaten run. Solid in defence and with a healthy mix of steel and flair in midfield, Monaghan are relentless competitors. Four of their five wins have been achieved by a single goal and only Finn Harps have managed to beat them so far in 2010.

Derry’s preparations for a game, which should see a sizeable traveling support, will be hampered by the absence of midfielder Ruairi Harkin who limped out of Tuesday night’s north west derby against Finn Harps. However, Derry boss Stephen Kenny is expected to have striker Mark Farren available following his recovery from injury.

Monaghan United
Injured: Shane Grimes; Darragh Hanaphy.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Derry City
Injured: Ruairi Harkin.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: McLoughlin.

Extratime prediction: A draw, 1-1.