Monksland's class finally tells after early fright from Clonbonny

THE age-old football cliché of 'a game of two halves' is often overused by pundits and sportswriters alike. But, at Cushla Park last Sunday in the opening round of the Combined Counties Cup, the phrase couldn't have been more apt. Rank outsiders Clonbonny, operating four tiers below Monksland in the Combined Counties League, stunned their complacent opponents by racing into a two-goal lead by the 40th minute, as Hungarian Tamás Lakatos bagged an impressively-taken brace. At that point, Clonbonny were belying their inferior league status and completely dominating affairs, with midfielders Paul Nally, Fergal Nugent and David Earls all playing key roles in what looked a potentially huge cup upset. However, Monksland finally woke from their Sunday morning slumber on the stroke of half-time, when former Athlone Town striker Stephen Mullan - recently signed from St Peter's - made it 2-1. Upon the resumption, it was a totally different game, as Monksland spent almost the entire second half in the ascendency and notched up a further five goals without even the threat of reply from a tiring Clonbonny. The final scoreline, it must be said, is very harsh on a Clonbonny side that was well organised and played some excellent football during the opening period. In the end, though, Monksland's superior fitness levels and extra bit of quality around the pitch told, with Dave O'Brien and substitute Matt Scally doing the damage in front of the Clonbonny goal during a one-sided second half. Goalscoring chances were minimal during the opening 20 minutes, with Clonbonny failing to take advantage of a couple of corner kicks. But they did break the deadlock in the 21st minute - much to the shock of a sluggish home side. Shane Monaghan showed great persistance and determination to fashion an opportunity for Tamás Lakatos and the stocky striker turned quickly in a tight area before firing a brilliant shot past Oisín Stronge. It was a sharp and precise finish from Lakatos, who showed enough quality on the day to suggest he should be playing at a higher level in the Combined Counties League. Lakatos is a brother of former Athlone Town winger István Lakatos and once had a brief trial period with Athlone a few years ago. Monksland reacted briefly but with little conviction to Lakatos' opener, as Mullan's shot from the edge of the penalty area was easily gathered by Chris Doran. Clonbonny's togetherness and organisation was frustrating Monksland, who themselves look certain to be playing top level football in the Combined Counties League next season. The home side fashioned their best chance of the half when Mullan skated clear of Gearóid O'Neill's tackle and chipped an inviting ball to the back post. Les Browne came roaring in from the right flank, but was always stretching to get a shot on target, and could only force the ball over the endline. Clonbonny should have definitely increased their advantage when Monaghan found himself clear of the home defence but scuffed his shot past the post. Not to be downheartened, though, Clonbonny were 2-0 up in the 40th minute, when Lakatos' lovely looping effort beat Stronge. It was now vital for Clonbonny to keep it tight until half-time, but they couldn't do so, as Mullan reduced the deficit with a clinical finish on 45 minutes. Indeed, the sides could have been level at the interval had Gearóid O'Neill's headed clearance not diverted a powerful Mullan strike away from goal. Monksland also had a penalty appeal turned down before half-time when Eddie McLoughlin appeared to be tripped by Fergal Nugent. Clonbonny had done themselves proud in the opening half but Monksland took complete control from the restart. The hosts were back on level terms on 50 minutes when former Mervue Utd midfielder Dave O'Brien rocketed home a fierce free-kick from just outside the Clonbonny box. Moments later, Shane O'Neill was unlucky when his near post flick from Ian O'Reilly's corner struck the butt of the post. The pressure was growing ever stronger and Clonbonny caved in on 58 minutes when O'Brien embarked on a powerful solo run from just inside his own half, catching Clonbonny on the counter attack after their corner kick broke down. O'Brien ran strongly at the heart of the Clonbonny defence, before eventually dragging the ball onto his left foot, and striking cleanly past Doran. Keith O'Reilly and Matt Scally came off the bench for Monksland and the latter would have a real impact. Only seconds after his introduction, Scally almost increased Monksland's lead but headed narrowly wide from an accurate Les Browne cross. The same combination got it right though, on 68 minutes, when Browne lofted a pinpoint cross into the box from the right wing and Scally rose highest to head home from eight yards. Clonbonny's cause wasn't helped when Gearóid O'Neill was shown a red card in the 77th minute for an over-zealous challenge on O'Brien. Doran got down well to stop Ian Lacey's effort with ten minutes to go, but Monksland sensed more goals, and a fifth arrived on 86 minutes when Scally capitalised on a shocking lack of communication in the Clonbonny defence to tap the ball past Doran. Scally also made it 6-2 in the closing moments, volleying home after Lacey flicked on a Browne corner kick. Monksland Utd: Oisín Stronge; Kevin Murray, John Francis, Jack Burke, Shane O'Neill, Eddie McLoughlin, Les Browne, Dave O'Brien, Ian Lacey, Stephen Mullan, Ian O'Reilly. Subs: Keith O'Reilly for O'Neill (64 mins), Matt Scally for Mullan (64). Clonbonny: Chris Doran; Daine Gilligan, Cian McCormack, Amby Fogarty, Gearóid O'Neill, Paul Nally, Keith Nally, Fergal Nugent, Tamás Lakatos, Shane Monaghan, David Earls. Subs: Niall Elliott for P. Nally (67 mins), Fran Earl for K. Nally (67), Eoin Bolton for Gilligan (75), Alan Monaghan for McCormack (75), Damien Maloney for Nugent (75). Referee: John McCrossan.