Monaghan United -v- Salthill Devon

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Mar 24 2011


Monaghan United will look to maintain their promising start to the Airtricity First Division campaign as they face Emlyn Long’s Salthill Devon at Gortakeegan on Friday night. (Kick off, 8pm)

Roddy Collins began the latest chapter in his League of Ireland career by guiding his side to a 2-0 win over much fancied Waterford United two weeks ago and this was followed up last weekend with a creditable 2-2 draw away to Finn Harps.

Collins had the benefit of inheriting an experienced squad when he took over the reins at Monaghan and, judging by early results, they should not be discounted from mounting a genuine challenge for promotion. He has also pushed a number of younger players into the reckoning with 15 year old Kevin Loughran making his debut for the club at Finn Park last weekend.

Conor McMahon and Alan Byrne were both forced off with injuries during the game against Harps and Byrne’s hamstring problem means he will not start against Salthill. Collins will also be without suspended duo ‘Fabio’ O’Brien and Ryan Brennan but he should still be confident of putting out a side capable of dealing with the challenge posed by Salthill, who again look set to struggle at the wrong end of the table.

An opening day defeat at home to local rivals Mervue United was not the start the Galway club were looking for and a 3-0 reverse against Limerick FC followed in week two. Matters improved somewhat last weekend when an goal from Etanda Nkololo earned the club a draw against Athlone Town and their first league point of the year.

Salthill will be looking to be more competitive this coming season, having spent all of last year locked into the league’s bottom spot, but progress is likely to be modest with limited resources and a squad that remains young and relatively inexperienced.

Monaghan should have too much quality on show to be overly troubled by Salthill on this occasion but Manager Emlyn Long will be determined that his players make these kind of games difficult for their opponents. What Salthill may lack in raw ability they will be expected to make up for in terms of commitment and effort, and if the attacking ability of Ciprian Straut and Victor Collins can be utilised then Roddy’s men may yet have a demanding evening ahead of them.

Monaghan United
Injured: Alan Byrne.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Declan O’Brien, Ryan Brennan.

Salthill Devon
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Unavailable.

Referee: .

Paddy Power Odds: Monaghan 1/6 - Draw 5/1 - Salthill 12/1.

Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for Monaghan.