Monaghan United host Bray Wanderers at Gortakeegan tonight, kick-off 7.45pm, in the first leg of the Airtricity League Premier Division promotion/relegation play-off.
Beaten EA Sports Cup finalists Monaghan secured their place in this tie with an excellent 3-1 win away to fellow First Division outfit Waterford United at the RSC on Tuesday night.
A brace from striker Philly Hughes and a goal from Aidan Lynch saw the Ulster side progress at the expense of Waterford, who must contend with a third consecutive season in the second tier.
Bray arrive at this point from a completely different direction.
The Seagulls were sunk by a Karl Sheppard goal at Terryland Park on Friday night, as Galway United ensured they would remain a Premier Division side in 2011 with a 1-0 win.
Wanderers would have had high hopes of avoiding this two-legged affair having taken points off champions Shamrock Rovers and runners-up Bohemians in recent weeks.
Monaghan are in good shape ahead of tonight’s game, although they will not have the suspended Barry Clancy at their disposal.
United fans will be hopeful they will see Karl Bermingham return from injury.
Monaghan boss Mick Cooke has been monitoring Bray’s form of late, and believes they have far more to offer than they did in Galway on Tuesday.
‘Having watched Bray against Shamrock Rovers last weekend and who they came close to defeating in that game I was very impressed with them and was therefore surprised to see them go down to Galway United,’ Cooke said.
‘It will be their performance against Rovers that I will be expecting, so we will have to be at our best if we are to account for them.’
Bray’s injury crisis has abated, somewhat, but they will be without suspended duo Adam Mitchell and Dave Webster for the trip north.
Director of football Pat Devlin had no complaints after the defeat to Galway, but was keen to focus on the two massive games ahead.
‘We didn't reach the standard of recent weeks [against Galway]. The players know that and will be doing their utmost to put that right over the next two games.
‘Monaghan have had a fantastic season. We know it will be tough and know what to expect and we will be prepared,’ Cooke added.
