Monaghan United 4 - 2 Wexford Youths

• Peter Hughes
• Wed, Jun 09 2010


Sean Brennan provided the inspiration for Monaghan United as they outscored a doughty Wexford Youths in a match of all-out attack at Gortakeegan.

Although playing up front, Brennan pulled all the creative strings for the Mons. He was on hand to guide Aidan Collins’ pass on for Philly Hughes, who in turn released Karl Bermingham to shoot the home side in front after just ten minutes.

Uncertain in defence, Youths were a different side when they carried the ball over the halfway line. The movement of Gary Sheehan threatened to unhinge United, and a first-time Danny Furlong volley that whizzed over the crossbar (17) showed that Mick Wallace’s charges meant business.

But the visitors were stunned in the 24th minute when Brennan whipped in a venomous free-kick from the left and defender Niall Flynn stooped to power home a header. Resilient Wexford responded in spectacular fashion in the 34th minute, Shane Dempsey’s sizzling first-time volley flashing beyond Gabriel Sava and in off the underside of the crossbar.

Niall Flynn’s precision tackle prevented Furlong claiming an equaliser,and Wexford finished the half in the ascendancy, Furlong popping up unmarked in the box but gliding his header outside the post. The second half opened with United displaying signs of tension. But nerves were calmed in the 61st minute courtesy of some individual brilliance from Brennan, who controlled the ball deftly in the box and led the Youths defence a merry dance before crashing home.

The goal failed to dent Wexford’s attacking momentum. Jimmy Keohane weaved his way to the edge of the United box and forced a free-kick, which he proceeded to covert with a curling shot that nestled snugly in the top corner (77).

Youths threw everything into completing the comeback. Kevin Rowe flashed a header over the crossbar from Gary Sheehan’s cross, and substitute Muzzy Mullen unleashed a fearsome effort from 30 yards that took all of Sava’s agility to deal with.

Monaghan could only breathe easily in the second minute of added time, when sub Darragh Hanaphy won what was a soft-looking penalty and Bermingham stepped up to calmly convert from the spot.

Monaghan United: Sava; C McMahon, Lynch, Flynn, Costigan; McCrossan, Tierney (O’Connor 73), Collins, Bermingham; Brennan,, Hughes (Hanaphy 86).
Subs not used: Clarke, D McMahon, McKevitt.

Wexford Youths: Holden; Kenny (Sinnott 46), Breen, Wolfe, Russell; Broaders (McCurtin 88), Dempsey, Keohane, Rowe (Mullen 88); Furlong, Sheehan.
Subs not used: McCann, Byrne.

Referee: Phil Caschera