Monaghan United recorded their first win in the Eircom Premier League at the expense of north-eastern neighbours Dundalk at Century Homes Park yesterday.
It was not a very exciting performance. It was a tight-marking sterile affair in the first half without much prospect of a score. The only incidence of note occurring in the 44th minute when Dundalk centre forward John Ryan was red-carded for a bad tackle on the home keeper Robert Forde.
This incident may have been responsible for the series of niggling fouls that were sprinkled throughout proceedings in the second half. A scoreless draw appeared very much on the cards until the 78th minute when a neat passing move opened up the defence for Monaghan's winning goal.
It began with substitute Ken Lundy on the right who found midfielder Derek McGrath who neatly set up striker Darren McKenna who netted from 10 yards. There was little prospect of a goal from either end in a tough tackling match. Dundalk staged an all-out revival in the dying minutes but could make no progress against a packed Monaghan defence.
Monaghan United: Forde, White, Brunton, Scully, O'Callaghan, Mieir, McGrath, Murphy, Vaughan, Bourke, McKenna. Subs: McCarville for White 76 mins. Lundy for Burke 73.
Dundalk: Connolly, Broughan, Crawley, Callaghan, McGuinness, Dunne, Prizeman, Hoey, Ryan, Robinson, Flanagan. Subs: Kavanagh for Dunne 73 mins. Melvin for Prizeman 77. Lawless for Crawley 86 mins.
Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).
Israel's star players have criticised the decision to postpone the crucial World Cup game with Austria which was scheduled to take place yesterday.
Fenerbahce forward Haim Revivo stated: "It looks like FIFA and UEFA don't want Israel to play in the World Cup." A more diplomatic Eyal Berkovic of Manchester City explained: "I don't believe FIFA does not want us there.
"But I get the feeling that because of all the troubles we have, we will qualify. I don't want to think about it, but if the game will be transferred to a neutral place we will beat Austria there too."
