Credit:
Monaghan United -v- Shelbourne
- Extratime Team
- Fri, May 14 2010
Shelbourne’s first outing of series two is a difficult trip to Gortakeegan to face Monaghan United. (kick off 8pm)
Monaghan United lie joint third in the table after an excellent start to the 2010 season. They have won five of their 11 games so far, and have only been defeated twice. They have defeated Cork City and Waterford United this season.
Their last two games have only resulted in one point but they go into this one on the back of an impressive victory over a strong Bohemians side on Tuesday. Having finished 1-1 after extra time, Monaghan came out on top after a penalty shootout to progress to the quarter-final of the EA Sports Cup.
Philip Hughes, Stephen McCrossan and Conor McMahon all picked up injuries against Bohs, but are expected to make the game.
“On Friday night we refocus on the League and try to maintain our 3rd place after the excitement of our victory over Bohemians on Tuesday night in the EA Sports Cup. We are delighted to progress to the quarter finals in the cup competition and I was very pleased with our recent performances against Bohemians and Derry City”, Monaghan Manager Mick Cooke said.
“I felt that we were unlucky to lose to Derry City and it is great to see the team competing so well. We are now entering the 2nd third of the season and if we can maintain our performances we hoping to hold our position”, Cooke concluded.
Both sides lost out in their last league games. Shelbourne went down by the only goal against second placed Waterford United, in a game which the Reds would have won easily had they taken even half of the chances created. Monaghan also went down by the only goal of the game against table toppers Derry City. Monaghan now lie in fourth place in the league, sharing their 19 points total with Limerick FC and Cork City Foras. Shelbourne are three points behind this trio in sixth place.
Shelbourne will look to get back to winning ways in this game having lost out to Waterford United last Friday to a single George O’Callaghan goal.
Shelbourne go into this game without the injured David Cassidy, Eric Foley and Stephen Quigley who are all suffering hamstring injuries. Michael Coburn remains sidelined with a heel injury.
It is likely that Manager Dermot Keely will call some of the ‘A’ Championship team into the travelling squad.
