Monksland suffer title blow as Athletic strike for late winner
Monksland United 3 Mullingar Town 4
Monksland United’s CCFL Senior Division title hopes suffered a significant blow with this 4-3 defeat to Mullingar Athletic at Cushla Park last Sunday.
Despite being very depleted on the day and having no subs to choose from, the Mullingar side still managed to claim a 4-3 victory.
Although Athletic are out of contention for the league title, this victory is a boost ahead of their upcoming Combined Counties Cup quarter-final against Longford outfit Gaels United.
In truth, Monksland had only themselves to blame for the defeat. They had more than enough possession and chances to win, but wasteful finishing proved their downfall. Two of their goals actually came from penalties, the first of which looked very harsh on Athletic.
Unpleasant weather greeted the teams and the handful of spectators present for this encounter on Easter Sunday. Monksland opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Johnny Kiernan was their chief threat in the early stages and his neat pass gave overlapping right-back Michael Harrington a chance to send in a low cross. Dylan Jinks’ shot was blocked but Aidan Reilly followed up and swept the loose ball to the net.
Callum O’Brien then tested Mullingar Athletic keeper Trevor Martin (also this year’s Westmeath sub goalkeeper) with a firmly struck shot. As Monksland maintained the pressure, they forced two corners in quick succession, the second of which gave O’Brien a chance at the back post but he was unable to make proper contact.
Shortly afterwards, John Shine’s dangerous cross presented Jinks with a chance, but the striker couldn’t keep his volley down.
The visitors had yet to mount a meaningful attack but they drew level on 19 minutes. The hard-working Liam Brennan was involved in the build-up, before a shot from defender Dillon Matthews found the net despite being half-blocked.
The majority of Monksland attacks were coming down the right where winger Kiernan looked to come in on his left at every opportunity. Kiernan linked up well with Shine on a few occasions, and Shine himself was unable to finish a chance created by Aidan Reilly’s pass.
Harrington and Jinks (a free from the edge of the box) had shots saved by Martin. Around the half hour mark, Athletic wasted a double chance. Firstly, Tadhg Nolan’s shot was well saved by Cathal Hannon; and Efe Siode was unable to control his effort on the rebound, his shot going over the top.
Jinks forced Martin to concede a corner with a low shot and then Martin failed to hold David O’Brien’s free kick, with Denzel Da Costa blasting the rebound over.
With the rain now falling quite heavily, Martin caused some alarm in the Athletic ranks with a couple of misdirected clearances, but Monksland were unable to profit.
Towards the end of the half, Da Costa sent in a cross and Shine was adjudged to have been fouled. Mullingar defender Oisín Tyrell was shown a yellow card for dissent over the decision. O’Brien chipped the penalty to the net in composed fashion (43rd minute).
Athletic levelled matters once more in added time. Good play down the left by Daniel Chukwuemeka (‘Chuks’) forced a corner and Brian Kavanagh’s delivery was headed home by the unmarked Tadhg Nolan, leaving it 2-2 at half-time.
In the 51st minute, Monksland thought they were back in front as Shine swept the ball high into the net after Da Costa created the opening. However, Paul Tone had his flag raised for offside.
On 55 minutes, a brilliant move saw Athletic hit the front for the first time. Great work in defence by Brennan started the move, then Brian Kavanagh and Mo Hamed were involved, before Darren Bitu Mnguni rolled the ball past Hannon and inside the near post.
Within four minutes, Tony O’Sullivan’s men hit back to make it 3-3. Dillon Matthews’ back-pass was short, forcing Martin into a foul on Kiernan. The Mullingar camp felt, with some justification, that there was a foul by Monksland in midfield before the penalty was awarded. In any case, O’Brien once again put the spot kick away.
The momentum was now with Monksland and one would have expected them to kick on. But despite the promptings of the influential Da Costa, the Athlone outfit couldn’t regain the lead, with Jinks blasting over from one of their chances.
The home side was caught out four minutes from time when Brennan scored a goal his endeavour deserved. Darren Bitu was involved in the build-up, before Brennan’s shot deflected to the net.
Four minutes of stoppage time were played but the closet Monksland came to an equaliser was a low shot from Jinks which Martin saved, with a combination of Matthews and Chukwuemeka scrambling the ball to safety.
Man of the match: Liam Brennan (Mullingar Athletic). Brennan toiled to great effect and always looked to use the ball productively. His excellent display was capped with the winning goal, albeit with the aid of a deflection. For Monksland, Johnny Kiernan offered a considerable threat early on and Denzel Da Costa tried hard to create openings throughout.
What it means: Monksland are second in the table, one point behind leaders Mullingar Town, but third placed Clara Town have three games in hand on the two teams above them. Both Clara (currently six points behind Mullingar Town) and Town won their games last Sunday.
Monksland United: Cathal Hannon, Michael Harrington, Callum O’Brien, Kevin Dunne, Brian Francis, Aidan Reilly, David O’Brien, Denzel Da Costa, Dylan Jinks, John Shine, Johnny Kiernan. Subs used: Matt Scally for Shine (68 mins); Ryan O’Connor for O’Brien (75); John Connellan and Kevin Gaylard for Da Costa and Reilly.
Mullingar Athletic: Trevor Martin, Oisín Tyrell, Daniel Chukwuemeka, Tristan Graham, Dillon Matthews, Tadhg Nolan, Mo Hamed, Brian Kavanagh, Darren Bitu Mnguni, Liam Brennan, Efe Siode.
Referee: Declan Toland.