5-May-2008

Relief as County get first win

Kildare County 4      Monaghan Utd   0

County moved off the bottom of the Eircom League of Ireland First Division with a resounding win over a Monaghan United side who have now lost all their away league games after a promising start to the season.  

This was a badly needed win for County who had to regroup after a 6-0 drubbing away to Dundalk in their last game and aim for the win that would lift them off the foot of the table.

Their strike force had also been going through a lean spell with Philly Gorman having just one goal to his name after eight games and strike-partner Ciaran Kilduff yet to open his account.

That was all put right however in this win with Gorman netting one and having a hand in two of the others and Kilduff also finding the back of the net. Kildare had the better of the opening half but could not turn their superiority into goals.

Philly Gorman missed a glorious chance from close range and Colin Fortune shot well over from just outside the box. The sides went in scoreless at the break.

Kildare’s breakthrough came two minutes into the second half. Philly Gorman sent in a cross from the right and the ball eluded Colin Fortune and Ger Robinson but fell nicely for Cathal Brady at the back post and he gave keeper Danny Woods no chance from eight yards.

Philly Gorman was also instrumental in the Thoroughbreds second which arrived in the 55th minute. He sent a well measured through ball into the path of Ciaran Kilduff who outpaced the Monaghan defence and rifled home his first goal for County.

County went 3-0 up after 74 minutes when they won a free 25 yards out and John Brophy delightfully curled the ball around the wall and out of the reach of Woods. This three goal cushion gave Kildare the opportunity to express their skills, not to mention settling the nerves of the fans.

Monaghan centre back Ian Malone was red-carded soon after for a rash challenge on former team mate Gorman. The striker who was playing his best football of the season was causing all kinds of problems for an overworked Monaghan defence and it was fitting that he got on the score-sheet when he steered home a cross from substitute Eoin Kavanagh, who had replaced midfielder Tommy Morgan in the 80th minute.  Ciaran Kilduff was also back to his best form and his speed and heading ability was a big factor in Monaghan’s undoing.

Kildare can now look forward with renewed confidence to their home game against Athlone Town, who have now replaced the Thoroughbreds at the foot of the table.  Kick off on Friday is at 7.45pm.

Kildare County: Treacy; Clarke, Brophy, Donnelly, Clancy; Kilduff, Morgan (Kavanagh 80), Fortune, Brady (Mooney 78); Gorman, Robinson (Slattery 62).

Monaghan United: Woods; Whelan, Mooney, Malone, Williamson; Maher, McCrossan, Tierney (Byrne 62), Meenan; Sheppard, Lanigan (Hanaphy 62).

Referee: P. Sutton (Clare).

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