Monaghan United 0
Shamrock Rovers 0

Rovers Team

1 Barry Murphy, 2 Ger O'Brien, 3 Robbie Clarke, 4 Aidan Price, 5 Ray Kenny, 6 Ray Scully, 7 David Cassidy, 8 Ian Maher, 9 Willie Doyle, 10 Tadhg Purcell, 11 Cathal O'Connor. Substitutes : 13 Jamie Duffy (Cathal O'Connor 61'), 14 Philip Sheppard (Doyle 70'), 15 Padraig Amond, 16 Gareth Cooney, 20 John McGuinness.

Match Report

The Hoops took to the pitch resplendent in their new all-black away gear on a calm and dry evening in Monaghan. Robbie Horgan received a warm welcome from the travelling Rovers fans as the only Rovers player that played at Milltown still playing today. This was all the more relevant as we pass the 19th anniversary of our exile from Glenmalure Park.

The first half never really caught fire but Purcell and Doyle were lively up front with Dave Cassidy and Cathal O'Connor in support roles from midfield. The first real effort on goal came on 15 minutes when Cassidy was set up on the right side of the box but he shot straight at Horgan. Monaghan caused some panic in the Hoops defence on 21 minutes when Murphy failed to take a free-kick in the area but the ball was cleared.

A great cross from Cassidy two minutes later saw both Doyle and O'Connor just fail to make contact. Scully then sent Doyle away and he turned into the box and sent a curling shot towards the top corner of the goal but Horgan did well to tip the ball over. Monaghan attacked periodically and Ger O'Brien made a fine tackle to clear the danger in the 39th minute. Rovers finished the 'half with a Cassidy shot blocked in the box.

Barry Murphy was called into action just after the break to gather a through ball before Monaghan were dealt a blow with Robbie Horgan forced to go off with a leg injury. Rovers gradually took full control and raided down both wings but the final cross or pass just wasn't good enough. Indeed the Hoops wasted a number of free-kicks from outside the box when in good positions.

Apart from a couple of shots that Barry Murphy easily saved it was mostly one-way traffic and as the game entered the final 10 minutes Rovers began to put real pressure on the home goal. Sub Sheppard ran on to a through ball but saw his shot cannon off the advancing 'keeper. Just a minute later a fine Purcell header was clawed away by the sub 'keeper before the ball was returned into the box but this time Sheppard shot over the bar.

Dave Cassidy caused the Monaghan defence problems all night with his pace and he again crossed well with five minutes remaining but the home defence cleared. As the three minutes of added-on time came to a close Monaghan forced a corner but the Hoops cleared and Duffy set up Sheppard but his volley was straight at the goalkeeper and Rovers chances of bagging all three points ended.