- Darren Crawley
- Fri, Mar 02 2012
Newly promoted Monaghan United began their return to the Premier Division with a scoreless draw against near neighbours Dundalk. A game which lacked any real quality had few chances but it will be the home side who feel they should have snatched all three points only for their finishing to let them down.
The opening was fairly quiet, with Dundalk applying some early pressure but without any real chance of note. With both teams struggling to gain control in midfield, chances were limited to breaks and the odd free-kick that was won during rare ventures forward. It was Dundalk who had most of the set plays in dangerous areas but couldn’t make their early pressure tell.
After twenty-five minutes though, Monaghan began to get a foothold in the game and started to force openings of their own. The coming from a deep cross on the left had Peter Cherrie scrambling across his goal line before the home side even had a penalty shout turned down.
On 32 minutes though it was Dundalk who managed the first shot on target and indeed the first effort of note on goal. Rob Waters won a free-kick 25 yards from goal. The Corkman took the kick quickly and forced an excellent save from ‘keeper Chris Bennion.
On 43 minutes Dundalk created the best chance of the game. After a free-kick was awarded 30 yards from goal, Michael Rafter’s kick was blocked by the wall. The ball broke to Stephen McDonnell and he unleashed a thunderous strike which crashed against the crossbar. After a brief Monaghan attack, the referee blew the whistle to end a dour first half.
In the opening minute of the second half, the newly promoted side squandered a gilt edge opportunity to take the lead.
After a brilliant cross from the right wing, substitute Jordan Marks found himself unmarked but somehow he managed to miss. Within minutes, Dundalk had a similarly brilliant chance to go in front when Rafter did well down the right and squared the ball to Shane O’Neill however he blazed over.The best chance of the match fell to Monaghan.
On 61 minutes Robert Bayly found himself in space and his shot beat Cherrie but hit the post. Dundalk then came close with a shot from Gary Shanahan but his shot was well saved by ex-Lilywhite Chris Bennion.
On 84 minutes Monaghan had a great chance to go in front when a deep ball across the box fell to Jordan Keegan however he snapped at the shot and dragged it wide of the far post. That proved to be the final action of a pretty poor opening match. Both teams and supporters will be hoping that there is better to come even though Monaghan will feel they had the better chance as Dundalk's Gortakeegan hoodoo goes on.
Monaghan United: Chris Bennion; Aidan Collins (Owen Humphrey 78), Conor McMahon, Alan Byrne, Darragh Reynor (Conor Murphy 60); Willo McDonagh, Garreth O’Connor (Jason Marks 20), Stephen Maher, Robert Bayly ©; Tony Griffiths, Jordan Keegan.
Subs not used: Michael Schlingermann (GK), Roddy Collins, Daniel McGuinness, Michael Isichei.
Yellow Cards: Maher (24), Bayly (41), Keegan (63), McMahon (75),
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Derek Foran, Liam Burns, Luke Danville, Dan Cunningham; Shane O’Neill (Gareth Coughlan '67) Stephen McDonnell © (Paul Walsh '90), John Mountney, Robert Waters, Gary Shanahan; Michael Rafter.
Subs not used: Ger Hanley (GK), Kevin Loughran, Paul Walsh.
Yellow Cards: Mountney (49).
Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).
Attendance: 1,500 (estimate).
extratime.ie man of the match: Robert Bayly.
