Monaghan United 1 – 2 Mervue United

• Peter Hughes
• Sat, Jul 16 2011


When the children of Monaghan United supporters are put to bed in the future with a cautionary bedtime story, it will be Mervue United rather than the Bogeyman that will be used to send a shiver down their little spines.

The Galway men copper fastened their reputation as Monaghan’s bogey side in this bizarre Gortakeegan encounter, when two own goals helped them to their second victory of the season over Roddy Collins’ promotion chasers, who dominated the play but could only manage a single goal for their lion’s share of possession.

Mervue had started the game usefully enough until the home side built up a formidable head of attacking steam, Sean Brennan’s 15th minute free-kick, which forced a good save from Gerard Hanley, looking only a prelude to things to come. A minute later however, Johnny Glynn’s men were ahead, Rory Gaffney showing power and control to get the better of Mons captain Alan Byrne before firing in a deep cross which Paul Whelan could only turn into his own net with Kevin Crehan in hot pursuit.

The Mons mustered some sustained pressure in response. David Byrne and Ryan Brennan both came close before, in the 26th minute, an elegant crossfield move saw John Reilly tear Mervue wide open down the right flank before crossing for David Byrne to strike the equaliser with a crisp finish.

A string of excellent saves from Hanley ensured that the visitors went in at the interval on level terms. The keeper did well to stop an acrobatic Ryan Brennan effort and a low header from Alan Byrne, but excelled himself with a fingertip denial of a blistering drive from Reilly. Sean Brennan blazed a shot from 25 yards just wide in the 38th minute. At the death of the half, Crehan popped up at the far post for Mervue to drive a first-time volley just over the crossbar, but it was a rare opportunity for the visitors, who were under the cosh again from the resumption.

A second Monaghan goal looked only a matter of time after David Byrne flashed a header just off target and substitute Jordan Keegan – a replacement early in the second half for Sean Brennan – struck a first-time effort high of the mark at the end of a fantastic move involving Ryan Brennan and David Byrne.

But in the 63rd minute an Alex Lee breakaway resulted in a Mervue corner. John Mountney drove the ball with power towards the near post, and Eric Foley’s attempted clearance became a nightmare moment for the midfielder as he directed the ball past an aghast Gabriel Sava.

It was all guns blazing from Monaghan after that, Roddy Collins sacrificing both his full backs to introduce the attacking momentum of Michael Isichei and Jason Marks. The Mons attacking had more desperation than inspiration about it, and weight of numbers at the back by Mervue was mostly effective in stemming the threat.

There were, however, a couple of incredible escapes for the Galway side. A fine run and cross from Isichei resulted in Ryan Brennan driving goalwards but, with Hanley for once beaten, Martin Conneely was able to trap and clear the ball from near the goal-line. Then, from Ryan Brennan’s cross, Philip Byrne hit an overhead kick that cracked off the crossbar. Headers from Isichei and David Byrne were off the mark in the final minutes and Mervue were able to see out a remarkable victory as Monaghan crashed to only their second home loss of the season.

MONAGHAN UNITED: Sava; Whelan (Isichei 66), A Byrne, P Byrne, Grimes (Marks 76); Reilly, Foley, R Brennan, Quinn; D Byrne, S Brennan (Keegan 56).
Subs not used: R Collins, Rossiter, A Collins, Flynn.

MERVUE UNITED: Hanley; Lawless, Connelly, Casserley, Ludden; Lee (McEntee 81), Hoban (Dravins 81), Crehan, Collins; Mountrey, Gaffney.
Subs not used: Daniel, Tully, Martin, McGrath.

Referee: Phil Caschera