The Monksland United squad at the Paddy Cotter Cup final in Birr last Sunday.

Monksland still in title hunt but need a favour

Monksland United are among the three contenders to win the Combined Counties Football League Senior Division title, with the title race set for an exciting climax tonight (Wednesday).

However, the Cushla Park outfit need a favour elsewhere in order to remain in the hunt.

Monksland play local rivals Willow Park at DPD Park, Athlone tonight (May 11, kick-off 7.15pm) in their last game, while Mullingar Town host Clara Town in Dalton Park at the same time.

Tony O’Sullivan’s Monksland charges must beat Willow Park and hope that the Mullingar v Clara match ends in a draw. If either side wins in Dalton Park, they will be crowned champions.

However, a draw between Mullingar and Clara, combined with a Monksland victory, will lead to a play-off between Monksland and Clara. Goal difference is not used in the event of teams being tied at the top of the table at the end of the league campaign.

According to honorary secretary Chris Hand, it's the first time in the 17 years of the CCFL's existence that three different teams could win the league going into the last series of games.

Meanwhile, Monksland lost out to Clara Town in the Paddy Cotter Cup final last Sunday (see report in this week's paper).

Monksland took the lead early in the second half courtesy of Shane Dolan but Clara battled back to win 3-1, with Josh Fleming scoring two goals for the Offaly outfit and Robert McDonagh netting the other.

In a busy spell for the club, Monksland are also preparing to play their Combined Counties Cup semi-final against Birr Town this Sunday at Stanley O’Hara Park, Clara (kick-off 12.00).