Monaghan United 2-2 Sporting Fingal

Goals by Conan Byrne and Alan Kirby reversed an early deficit for Sporting Fingal at Kingspan Century Park but Monaghan claimed a point with an equaliser 20 minutes from time.

This result has to be viewed as two points dropped especially as the two sides ahead of Fingal in the league table, Shelbourne and UCD, finished deadlocked at 2-2 in their meeting at Tolka Park.

Third-placed Fingal were left reeling after just 15 minutes when Darragh Hanaphy put the finishing touch on a passage of play created by David Freeman.

It was Freeman who might have extended the lead on 23 minutes as he failed to connect properly on a chance in the box, enabling Fingal goalkeeper Chris Konopka thwart the danger on his debut.

The slickness of Fingal’s attacking play that has been the hallmark of their success this term began the tell as the half wore on and they found the back of the hosts’ net twice within a three minute spell to turn the contest on it’s head.

Conan Byrne bagged his 22nd goal of the campaign by smashing home a free-kick on 26 minutes and Alan Kirby volleyed a John Frost’ cross beyond Aaron McCarey shortly after.

Fingal had openings to effectively kill the game off before the break through Shaun Williams and Gary O’Neill but those squandered efforts would return to haunt them.

Alan Byrne did the damage on 68 minutes with a clinical header from Cathal O’Connor incisive right-wing centre - though Stephen Paisley tried in vain to race back and clear before the ball crossed the line.


Monaghan United: McCarey; McKevitt, Lynch, Flynn, Grimes; O’Connor, McCrossan, Byrne, Hanaphy; Bermingham, Freeman.

Sporting Fingal: Konopka; Gannon, Paisley, Maher, Frost; C Byrne, Williams, Kirby (Foley 86), McFaul; O’Neill (Doyle 81), Zayed.

Referee: D Hanney.