Brennan boost for Mons

RYAN BRENNAN was the hero for Monaghan United as he struck a late winner to send Roddy Collins’ side top of the First Division with a dramatic win at Fahy’s Field in Galway last night.

Just when it appeared that Monaghan’s promotion hopes were going to take a dent against a side they have lost to in their last three league meetings, Brennan struck.

Sub Michael Isichei crossed from the right for Brennan to connect and fire home a goal which could yet send Monaghan into the Premier Division.

There was still time for more drama and Alex Lee should have snatched an equaliser in stoppage time but blazed over the crossbar from close range, while Etanda Nkololo went even closer but had an effort hacked off the line in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Both sides enjoyed good passages of dominance in a scrappy opening half but neither was able to break the deadlock, with Mervue keeper Brian O’Donoghue and his opposite number Gabriel Sava in sparkling form.

Mervue had a couple of good chances just after the restart to hit the front but full-back William McDonagh did well to deprive both Pat Hoban and Nkololo.

Monaghan should have hit the front on the hour but Sean Brennan, after doing well to control the ball, blasted into the side-netting from close range.

But Ryan Brennan, who snatched a late winner against Longford in a few weeks ago, rescued Monaghan with another late goal.

MERVUE UNITED: O’Donoghue; O’Brien, Farrell, Elwood, Casserley; Nkololo, Mountney (Varley 5), McEntee, Lee; Molloy, Hoban.

MONAGHAN UNITED: Sava; McDonagh, Marks, Collins, Byrne; Reilly, Quinn (Foley 58), Keegan (Isichei 80), R Brennan; O’Brien (Byrne 58), S Brennan.

Referee: D Coombes (Dublin).