Kildare County 0 - 2 Monaghan United

• Daire Walsh
• Sun, Jul 26 2009


A goal in each half from centre-half Brian Gartland and striker Karl Bermingham gave Monaghan United a vital victory over a hard-working Kildare County side at Station Road on Saturday evening. County had plenty of possession to get themselves back into the game, but the dismissal of Craig Purcell after 53 minutes made it very difficult for them to break down Monaghan in the second half.

In recent weeks, Kildare seemed to have gotten out of the habit of conceding early goals, but it once again came back to haunt them with just seven minutes of play gone when Gartland unleashed a shot from inside the box, which appeared to have been scuffed, but somehow slipped through the grasp of County ‘keeper Darren Kelly and into the bottom corner of the net.

This was a disastrous beginning to the game for Kildare and it meant that they had to chase the game, while at the same time trying to break down a Monaghan side that understandably were looking to contain their one-goal advantage. Nevertheless, they went the right away about it initially with a decent effort from David Jackson after 12 minutes being followed by a 25-yard drive from a tight angle on the left by Orrin Farrell that was parried well by Monaghan ‘keeper Aaron McCarey.

Monaghan were still quite dangerous though, with Sean Brennan, a brother of Bohemian star Killian, and Barry Clancy causing a number of problems for the Kildare rearguard. A good delivery on 25 minutes from the right-wing by the raiding Craig Purcell was met by the head of Philly Hughes from close-range, but his attempt was just over the bar as Mick Cooke’s side were let off the hook.

Just before the break, Kelly would go some way to making amends for his mistake for the opening goal when he saved low from a Dom Tierney shot from distance following good work from Brennan and full-back Shane Grimes. There would be time for one last chance before half-time, but Farrell’s audacious effort at lobbing McCarey from a tight angle didn’t quite come off.

This left Monaghan leading by a single goal at the break, with the game still there for Kildare if they were able to capitalise on any chances that would come their way. However, their chances of getting at least a point from this game were dealt a serious blow with eight minutes of the second period gone when Purcell was sent-off for a foul on Karl Bermingham over on the left-wing. This seemed a slightly harsh decision as Purcell appeared to have a couple of player covering him, and there was no guarantee that the ex-Man City man would score, but it was a reckless challenge by the right-full-back nonetheless.

This meant that Kildare had to change to three at the back, with Davy Byrne, who was looking comfortable in defence up to this point, acting as a sweeper in front of Liam Tiernan and Dean Lawrence. This was the most sensible thing for Joey Somerville to do as the game was still there for County if they kept going their most dangerous attacking players on the pitch, but it did leave theme exposed at the back and this was what brought about Monaghan’s second goal of the contest on 64 minutes.

Most of the work for the goal came through the endeavour of former Kildare man Darragh Hannaphy, who got into a good position down the right and put in an inch perfect cross that was easily turned in by Bermingham from just a couple of yards out.

This goal came at a vital stage for Monaghan as County were beginning to put a good deal of pressure on them in the final-third and it gave them some vital breathing space moving into the final 25 minutes. Credit must go to Kildare though, because they kept at it until the very end and kept attacking looking for the goals that would bring them back into the match.

Unfortunately, in spite of close efforts from Byrne and substitute Trevor Bowers, they simply couldn’t find a way to get themselves back into the game and Monaghan could easily have increased their lead, only for Kelly to prevent chances from Barry Clancy, another former County player, and Hannaphy in the final moments.

Kildare will be looking to get back on track when they make the trip to Ferrycarrig Park to face Mick Wallace’s Wexford Youths outfit.

Kildare County: Darren Kelly; Craig Purcell, Liam Tiernan, Davy Byrne, Dean Lawrence; Darren O’Brien, David Jackson, Orrin Farrell (David Lee ‘78), Christy Doran; Philip Hughes, Dave O’Riordan (Trevor Bowers ‘69). Subs not used: Gavin Kinsella, Baba Isaaka, Colin Cassidy.

Monaghan United: Aaron McCarey; Stefan McKevitt, Conor McMahon, Brian Gartland, Shane Grimes; Sean Brennan (Brian Hyland ‘76), Dom Tierney, Alan Byrne (Stephen McCrossan ‘69), Barry Clancy; Karl Bermingham, Cathal O’Connor (Darragh Hannaphy ‘59). Subs not used: Ronan McGann, Craig Harding.

Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork).

Attendance: unknown.

Extratime.ie man-of-the-match: Karl Bermingham (Monaghan United). – Was dangerous all through and fully-deserved a goal to cap off his performance.