REPORT: Monaghan Utd 1 - 0 Limerick 37

Monaghan United got off to the best possible start with a win against Limerick 37 in their first game of the 2008 FAI eircom League of Ireland last Friday night at Kingspan Century Park. A 56th minute Phillip Sheppard penalty was the difference between the two teams in a game that United could have won earlier.

United took longer to settle into the game than their Shannonside counterparts but when they found their feet they started to cause Limerick problems. As they tried to settle Sheppard had an early opportunity to put United on the scoreboard when he had beaten the defence well and was one-on-one with the goalie. His shot went wildly over the bar and James Hand came close moments later but again the ball went over the bar.

United kept coming at Limerick and they looked the most likely to score as Kevin Williamson made one of his now trademark great solo runs across the pitch. He tried to feed the ball to Hand but the Carrickmacross lad was unable to make it. The ball fell to Robbie Collins but his shot became the 3rd to go over the bar.

As United continued to keep Limerick on their toes, Hand challenged their defence and sent a ball ahead of the last man for Limerick but Hand just didn’t have the pace to round the defender and the ball was sent back down the pitch. This was to result in Limerick’s first real chance of the game and as they bore down on goal, Brendan Kennedy was forced to make a courageous save and jumped on the ball.

The inexperience of the young David Ryan in goals for Limerick showed when he almost cost them a goal 25 minutes into the game. Ryan ran out to stop an incoming ball but lost it and Williamson took advantage. Williamson sent the ball into the box but none of United’s strikers had anticipated the goalies error and were not in position to capitalise.

Limerick fought back and once more Kennedy needed to be alert as Ross Cosgrave thundered towards the United goal. Kennedy was competent and averted a disaster with ease. In response United headed back up the pitch and having won a throw were then awarded a corner. Eoin Lannigan took the corner and sent a perfect kick in towards Hand. James hit the ball with force towards goal but it took a deflection and was out for another United corner.

This time Hand took the corner but the ball went straight to Ryan and Limerick were let off the hook once more. As United became more confident and started to work as a team, it was clear that they were starting to read each other better. Hand and Lannigan linked up well and Lannigan sent a speculative shot in but Ryan was the match of it.

With a howling wind whipping the ball and making things difficult, Kennedy struggled with a kick out and instead of reaching the intended target of Hand, the ball fell to Limerick. Willie Bruton latched onto it and sent the shot in but it went just wide of the post to the relief of Kennedy.

Limerick seemed to find a boost from this and when awarded a corner moments later they did well to get to it. Brendan Daly took the corner and sent the ball into the crowded box where United’s defence were able to send it out only a short distance. Limerick got a touch to it but the ball went straight back to Kennedy.

With just over half an hour gone on the clock, Williamson turned saviour as he cleared a tentative shot from Lims which may have bounced across the line if it hadn’t been for Williamson.

Mons got their act together again and went on the hunt for goals. Ryan was lucky to get to the ball as United went on the attack again. Limerick took the opportunity then to head back up the pitch and won a free kick as a result of an over eager Williamson tackle. Former Arsenal player Shane Tracey, on loan from Galway, took the free but United’s defence stood strong and the ball went out for a goal kick.

United reacted well and headed for the Lims goal and Stephen McCrossan had a chance but shot wide. Undeterred, United went back on the attack and Hand showed his quality with a beautiful shot which was unfortunately blocked and out for a corner. Collins took and sent the ball out to Hand who again looked like he would score on his debut but his cracker of a shot went just wide of the mark.

As the time wound down, Sheppard was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet as he broke down the defence but his shot was saved by Ryan. The first half ended in stalemate despite United’s hard work.

Limerick 37 signalled their intentions to push United to the wire when the game resumed and won an early corner. Hand was almost responsible for an own goal as he tried to clear the incoming corner but had a lucky escape and the ball bounced out past the goal. Limerick were unable to make their resulting corner pay.

Once more Williamson set out on his epic run up the pitch but he was unable to finish and his shot went wide. Paul Whelan shot off up the wing moments later but was surrounded by 4 Limerick players and had no way through. The ball was sent back up the pitch.

United won a free moments later and Collins sent the ball out to the other side but Limerick got to the ball and stifled the United move. As the game got more intense, Sheppard headed for the Lims box and was just inside when he was taken down by Chukwuma Manjor with a tackle from behind. The referee pointed to the spot without any hesitation and United were given the opportunity to put themselves in front.

Sheppard stepped up to take the penalty and blasted the ball past Ryan rattling the back of the net with the force of the kick. Bouyed up by their lead United continued to break Limerick down. McCrossan did well to make his way through the Limerick players and passed to Sheppard. Ryan was ready and made safe “Shep’s” attempt.

For some time United kept on Lims case and did not allow them out of their own half. When Limerick did finally get into the Monaghan half, Lannigan did well to react as the ball hit him on the back and he managed to turn and send the ball away from danger.

Darren Meenan came on for Lannigan straight away began to work what has been named “Meenan Magic”. His skilful display and dogged determination immediately inspired Mons and they stepped the game up once more. Within minutes of being introduced to the game Meenan had dummied a Limerick player to set Whelan up but Whelan was closed down quickly.

Limerick reminded Monaghan that it wasn’t all one way traffic when they had a shot after Untied failed to properly clear their lines. The shot slid outside the post giving United a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. United headed back towards Limerick’s goal and Sheppard almost made it 2-0 but Ryan caught his effort.

Tracey came close to finding an equaliser for Limerick on the 78th minute but Kennedy’s calibre shone through and he made a magnificent save to keep his team in front. Meenan continued to cause problems for Limerick as he worked his magic tearing their midfield apart. He was brought down by a frustrated Paul Danaher, but Hand was unable to profit from the consequential free and Brendan Daly regained control of the ball for 37.

As Limerick seemed to find a second wind, Aaron Mooney got off lightly as a limerick shot deflected off him and would have been in the back of the net only for Kennedy’s lightening reactions. When the other David Ryan in the Limerick squad came on for James Hayes, he made an impact straight away by threatening United’s goal within seconds of his first touch. Kennedy once more was heroic and saved the day.

Limerick were finally starting to play cohesive football with some good passing between Wayne Colbert and Darren Harrington but United’s Don Tierney and Ian Malone ensured that they were well on top of the situation. Limerick attacked again but this time Kennedy was able to shield the goal and having taken a deflection the ball rolled out for a goal kick. In the 90th minute it looked like United would seal the victory with another goal as Hand and Sheppard combined well. Sheppard passed the ball to Collins but before Robbie could react he was dispossessed. With 3 minutes of time added Limerick won a corner and Kennedy was outstanding as he managed, with utter single mindedness, to get through the crowded goal mouth and throw himself on the ball.

The game ended with United having all 3 points and top of the league for the evening. In the words of Assistant Manager Graham Doyle “Winning is a good habit to get into” but this new found optimism at Kingspan Century Park will be put to the test as they face arch nemesis Dundalk in the first local derby of the season on Thursday night in Oriel Park.

Monaghan United: Brendan Kennedy; Paul Whelan, Ian Malone, Aaron Mooney, Kevin Williamson; Eoin Lanigan (Darren Meenan 69), Dom Tierney, Stephen McCrossan, James Hand; Robbie Collins, Philip Sheppard (Darragh Hanaphy 93).
Subs not used: Danny Woods (gk), Ciaran Reilly, Ian  Maher.
 

Limerick 37: David Ryan; Brendan Daly, Paul Danaher, Tommy Barrett, Shane Tracy; Wayne Colbert, Padraig Fogarty, Ross Cosgrave (Liam Barrett 60), Chukwuma Manjor (Darren Harrington 80), Willie Bruton; James Hayes (David Ryan 84).
Subs not used: Kevin Fitzpatrick (gk), Brian Cleary.

Referee: Rob Rogers.