RUGGED REARGAURD RESISTANCE RATTLES ROVERS!

Monaghan Utd 0
Shamrock Rovers 0
TONY GIBSON reports from Gortakeegan

THOU SHALT NOT PASS! – That was the philosophy embraced by Monaghan United’s for their meeting with champions Shamrock Rovers at Gortakeegan on Monday evening and, thanks to some Dunkirk spirit in the back ranks and a moment or two of inspiration from keeper Chris Bennion – as well as the beneficence of the goalframe on one or two occasions – the approach proved an inspirational one as the Premier Division strugglers held their exalted visitors to a scoreless draw.
The result was a confidence-enhancing back-up to the Mons’ victory at Oriel Park on Friday night, and, while a night of the underdogs on Monday which also saw Dundalk and UCD gain important wins keeps United pinned in the basement of the division, the weekend’s work was one which will give Roddy Collins’ men enhanced belief as they tackle into the challenges presented by the remainder of the season.
Collins – whose ebullient personality and high profile sometimes serves to obscure his tactical acumen – had done his homework for this one, and from an early stage one could sense the frustration in the Rovers’ ranks as they failed to make substantial headway against the United set-up.
A tentative beginning to the game saw the Mons enjoy their share of the play, Keith Quinn testing Rovers keeper Oscar Jansson from …