EIRCOM LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

22nd January

Dundalk 0

Monaghan United 2

BOBBY BROWNE 60

ANDY MYLER 86

It doesn't get more frustrating than this. On a night which was before the game seen by many as a chance to put last weeks disappointment behind them, Dundalk turned in their worst display of the season. It was a Dundalk team which lacked drive, determination and in some cases serious commitment. It was a Dundalk team that deserved to be beaten at home by the bottom team in the League, and a Dundalk team that was probably flattered by a 2-0 scoreline. Quite how the fortunes have taken such a reverse is unfathomable but the side that lost to this brave Monaghan side is a shadow of the Dundalk side which lined out against Longford only three short weeks ago.

Dundalk made two changes to the team which started in Kilkenny. Paddy Quinn and Brian Honan were dropped with David Hoey and David Ward restored. The Ward switch was fairly straight forward while Hoeys return saw Flanagan revert to right back where he again looked uncomfortable.

After 13 minutes Tony Izzi had to come off with a hamstring problem and David Martin came into the team. Already Dundalk's hopes had been dealt a severe blow but Martin has long deserved a chance to showcase his ability and prove to Terry Eviston he is worthy of a regular place. However on a night where he had a chance to shine, he failed miserably and was hustled off the ball too easily. He was not aided by his strike partner Ward who was continually caught offside and couldn't seem to get past anyone with the ball at his feet. However it has to be said that the service to the front pair was brutal. It never looked like it was going to be Dundalk's night. Rumours of friction in the dressing room couldn't have helped team spirit. There was little liveliness in the Dundalk team, none of the crunching tackles that went in against Longford. Instead it was just a casual performance. It was as if Dundalk were just waiting for the chance to come so they could win, except they never actually tried to create a good opening. Instead they whacked the ball up into the air. Terry Eviston said after the Kilkenny game last week that he was disappointed that his players were hitting the ball aimlessly into the air and despite the fact he told them at half time to keep it on the ground they continued to hammer it into oblivion. What does the fact that Dundalk continued to use long ball methods last night show ? Does it show they're not going to listen to their manager ? . Paul Whelan last night hammered the ball into the air any time it came near him. Flanagan looked uneasy at right back and seemed happy to kick the ball anywhere when he got the ball. If he'd done that in the 90th minute against Kilkenny we'd still be in the Cup. Paul Campbell was again bitterly disappointing, on numerous occasions when receiving the ball from a throw in he controlled it and hammered it forwards into open space without even looking first. Apart from a run in the first half David Hoey, who had been ill during the week was virtually non existent. Brian Morrisroe again offered little. His first touch is getting worse and he lacks conviction anywhere near goal. John Sharkey scampered in all directions and nearly got through halfway into the first half but his weak shot was saved. Apart from that his contribution was minimal, what he did was good but he was anonymous for too long, maybe not all his own fault.

At the back Dundalk again looked shaky. Paul Whelan is not suited to the wide spaces of Oriel Park and again looked shaky. David Crawley has lost all confidence and his overall performance was dire. Noel Melvin misses Gollogley, the Dundalk defence misses Gollogley yet he continues to sit on the bench. Paul Whelan hasn't even played ten games for Dundalk and he is the team captain. Surely there is something wrong there. Before Christmas the team spirit at Dundalk seemed to be wonderful, on the pitch the players were all playing for each other. However you have to query that in some of the current players, and I'm not talking about the local ones. Lack of ability is not the problem within the current side, the players at some time or other have shown they all have ability. Then the blame must go to either the manager, for not being able to motivate the players, or the players for simply not putting it in. I think its fair to say that both deserve a fair bit of criticism. As far as I'm concerned, there is no way that the Dundalk side should have been rearranged to fit in either Paul Campbell or Paul Whelan. Paudie Gollogley and Noel Melvin were doing fine in the centre of defence. If it ain't broke why fix it ? John Flanagan and David Hoey were brilliant in the centre of the park against Longford. Why have they not played together since ? Has Paul Campbell done enough in his time to suggest he should be an automatic pick regardless of his current form. I think not, and his contribution last night was terrible. When he was substituted and Paddy Quinn came on and John Flanagan moved into the centre of midfield at least Flanagan provided some bite and liveliness in there. If that had been the team at the start then who knows what the outcome may have been.

The two Monaghan goals, both in the last half hour were courtesy of dreadful defending. For the first Andy Myler was allowed ghost past four Dundalk defenders and cut the ball back across the Dundalk penalty area into the path of Monaghan player manager Bobby Browne who steered the ball past the helpless John Connolly from eight yards. Dundalk tried to raise their game afterwards but Terry Eviston just stood watching as time after time the home side failed to put two passes together. David Crawley struck a free kick straight at Grace, Morrisroe volleyed wide from a Sharkey cross. All chances that on another night wouldn't have been noteworthy but were the best the Lilywhites could come up with on the night. Paul Smith who was a constant thorn in the Dundalk side should have scored twice. On the first occasion he was left in the Dundalk half on his own when released by Andy Myler after a Dundalk corner was cleared. However Smith got little power on his shot and Noel Melvin got back to clear. On the second occasion a terrible David Crawley error let the 18 year old in, but the resulting shot was straight at Connolly. Smith needn't have worried however that the missed chances would cost his side the match. With four minutes left a cross from the right was not cleared by Dundalk and Andy Myler nipped in past Whelan and Melvin to shoot past Connolly and give Monaghan a deserved three points.

The atmosphere around Oriel Park during the game reminded me of the tail end of last season when Dundalk were resigned to their fate. Why this was the case in what should have been a rip roaring game which saw Dundalk jump back into the promotion race is beyond me. Subsequent results show that if Dundalk had won this game then they would be four points behind second place with a game in hand. The lack of motivation in the side was evident, there was no urgency about the side. It was almost a lazy performance. There was no shape in the side. Derek Delaney was introduced for the hapless Morrisroe and in his short time on the pitch showed more aggression than the player he replaced, and this only in four minutes.

That is twice Dundalk have lost at home to Monaghan this season. Terrible home form could cost us in the end. Earlier in the season when Dundalk lost at home to Monaghan the team was on its lowest ebb going down to Cobh, and yet there started a wonderful run of six wins on the trot. Those travelling down to Cobh next weekend can only hope that the same thing will happen again next Sunday.Once again though, Dundalk travel in hope rather than with confidence. This performance was unacceptable, in every area. The boos which rang out after the final whistle are always a sad thing to hear, however in this case the howls of derision were completely and totally justified

DUNDALK FC

1 John Connolly 6

2 John Flanagan 4

3 David Crawley 3

4 David Hoey 4

5 Paul Whelan 4

6 Noel Melvin 4

7 John Sharkey 5

8 Paul Campbell 3

9 David Ward 4

10 Tony Izzi 6 [injured 15 mins]

11 Brian Morrisroe 3

SUBS

13 David Martin 4

14 Derek Delaney 6

15 Paddy Quinn 6