Monaghan claimed their first win of the season as Roddy Collins displayed some inspired management to overcome an early red card as his side beat Bohemians 2-1.
Goalkeeper Chris Bennion was sent off after just four minutes for checking Karl Moore.
However, on 49 minutes, the Mons got the goal they deserved as Stephen Maher directed a loose ball in off the post. Sub Ryan McEvoy levelled for the hosts with a spectacular 35-yard strike on 62 minutes. But Collins had one more trump card as sub Jason Marks curled in the winner.
Looking to build on Bohs’ bright start, Dave Mulcahy played a quick ball up to Karl Moore. That forced the keeper off his line but he could only check Moore as the forward clipped the ball around him.
Referee Dave McKeon immediately produced a red card but he might have had a little more hesitation had he considered the two Monaghan defenders about to get back.
In any case, that should have been the platform for a Bohs onslaught. Instead, it only served to illustrate Collins’s tactical acumen.
For the next 85 minutes, you would have actually guessed it was Monaghan who had the extra man as they shifted position and shuttled around to completely cancel the numerical advantage.
In truth, it was masterful. And it also produced the best chances of the first half as both Danny McGuinness and Stephen Maher squandered fine opportunities. Both should have scored having had chances put on a plate for them with two fine passes.
Within minutes of the second half starting though, Maher had made up for that and gave Monaghan the goal they deserved.
Latching onto a loose ball in the box, he directed a shot in off Andy McNulty’s post.
Bohs were going to need something special to break down Monaghan’s backline but, fortunately for Aaron Callaghan, Ryan McEvoy provided it. The striker hit a contender for goal of the season to beat sub keeper Michael Schlingermann from all of 35 yards.
Unfortunately for them, though, Collins had one more trick: with just three minutes left, substitute Jason Marks curled in the winner.
Bohemians: McNulty; Heary, McMillan, Mulcahy; Pender (Mulligan 77), Martin (McEvoy 52), Ward, L Byrne; Moore, Corcoran, D Byrne (Buckley 39)
Monaghan United Bennion; Whelan, Maher, McMahon; McGuinness (Marks 69), Bayly, Griffiths (Schlingermann 4), Keegan, Reynor; Maher, Murphy
Referee: D McKeon (Cork)
