FAI Junior Cup: Weakened Mountmellick stumble at the first hurdle
Mountmellick Utd's Luke O'Connor heads this ball for goal against Monksland in the FAI Junior Cup Photo: Denis Byrne
Mountmellick Utd 0 Monksland Utd 2
Mountmellick United are out of the FAI Junior Cup at the first time of asking, after an underwhelming defeat at home to Monksland United on Sunday afternoon. A goal in each half was enough to see the Westmeath side advance.
Mountmellick are operating with half a squad at the moment, with many important players still on GAA duty. Both the hurlers and footballers from Mountmellick are preparing for county finals, leaving United to operate with a skeleton crew, including five call-ups from the U/19s.
David O'Brien gave Monksland an early lead with a with a lovely finish into the bottom corner of Mick Spain's net after a great through ball from Josh McCarthy.
Mountmellick were enjoying most of the possession but it was Monksland on the counter-attack who looked the most threatening. The Westmeath club began controlling the game midway through the half with the midfield duo of Ryan and Shine pulling the strings.
Eoghan O'Riordan almost brought Mountmellick level after half an hour when he spotted Callum O'Brien, but the back-tracking Monksland goalkeeper saved himself the embarrassment of being beaten from halfway.
Conor Comiskey then went close for the home side but could not steer his shot on target. That proved to be the last big chance of the half as Monksland went into the break 1-0 up.
Mountmellick started well after the break with Gary Dowling and Chris Lee looking lively down the wings. Monksland reverted to playing on the counter-attack and it almost paid off on the hour mark. David O'Brien steadied himself for the shot on the edge of the box, drawing a good save from Mick Spain.
Mountmellick had two opportunities to find an equaliser midway through the half, but neither Conor Comiskey or Luke O'Connor were able to take their chances.
But Monksland doubled the lead with quarter of an hour remaining. Josh McCarthy once again came up with the assist, delivering a fantastic corner where centre back, Michael Harrington, arrived at the back post, firing his header beyond Mick Spain.
Mountmellick almost hit back five minutes later when Chris Lee went charging through from the right wing, but his shot came back of the upright. Monksland held out for the twin and are deservedly through to the second round of the FAI Junior Cup.
Mountmellick are the reigning Division 1 champions, and their new management team of John Nelson and Mark Grennan have big plans for the season ahead. There were plenty of green shoots in this performance as they look forward to a trip to St Peter’s next week as the Senior Division gets underway.
