{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Monaghan United F.C. | image = Monaghan United F.C. logo.png | image_size = 200px | fullname = Monaghan United Football Club | nickname = ''The Magic Mons'' | founded = 1979 | ground = Gortakeegan | capacity = 5,000 (800 seats)<ref name="monaghanstadium">{{cite web|url=http://monaghanunitedfc.com/?page_id=95|title=Stadium|publisher=monaghanunitedfc.com|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> | chairman = Ronan Callan | manager = | league = North East Football League<br> Division 2 | season = 2025 | position = North East Football League<br> Division 3, 1st out of 12 (promoted) | website = {{URL|http://monaghanunitedfc.com/}} | pattern_la1 = _whiteborder | pattern_b1 = _MonaghanUtd2122h | pattern_ra1 = _whiteborder | pattern_sh1 = _whitebottom | leftarm1 = 213EB3 | body1 = 213EB3 | rightarm1 = 213EB3 | shorts1 = 213EB3 | socks1 = 213EB3 | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = | pattern_ra2 = | leftarm2 = FF6C00 | body2 = FF6C00 | rightarm2 = FF6C00 | shorts2 = 000000 | socks2 = FF6C00 }} '''Monaghan United F.C.''' is an Irish football club based in Monaghan currently playing in Division 2 of the North East Football League. The club joined the League of Ireland in 1983 and subsequently went on to play in the B Division, the First Division and the Premier Division. They resigned from the league midway through the 2012 season.
The club continued to field a women's team in the Dublin Women's Soccer League and, together with the Cavan Monaghan Underage League, they entered a combined team in the League of Ireland U13, U15, U17 and U19 Divisions, until 2020, whereupon the partnership was ended. The CMUL continued to field teams in the national underage leagues. In 2019 the club re-entered men's football, joining the Monaghan Cavan League. In 2025 the club joined the North East Football League, starting in Division 3.
==History== ===League of Ireland=== thumb|Chart of yearly table positions for Monaghan United in League of Ireland Monaghan United were founded in 1979. Among the club's founding members was Sean McCaffrey who was also the manager of the club when they joined the League of Ireland B Division in 1983–84.<ref name="monaghanunited"/><ref name="dundalkfc">{{cite web|url=http://www.dundalkfc.com/players/first-team-squad/sean-mccaffrey/|title=Seán McCaffrey|publisher=dundalkfc.com|access-date=6 September 2016|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917105819/http://www.dundalkfc.com/players/first-team-squad/sean-mccaffrey/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="leagueofirelandieB">{{cite web|url=http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/2016/04/18/to-b-or-not-to-be-brian-quigleys-thoughts-on-the-league-of-ireland-b-division/|title=‘'To B or not to be'’ Brian Quigley’s thoughts on the League of Ireland B Division|publisher=leagueofireland.ie|access-date=6 September 2016|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917050329/http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/2016/04/18/to-b-or-not-to-be-brian-quigleys-thoughts-on-the-league-of-ireland-b-division/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lynch">{{Cite book| title=A History of Athlone Town F.C: The First 101 Years | first=Frank | last=Lynch | year=1991| location=Athlone | publisher=Arcadia}}</ref> In 1985–86 Monaghan United became founder members of the League of Ireland First Division. United played eight seasons in the First Division before winning their first promotion. After finishing third in 1992–93 they became the first League of Ireland club to gain promotion via a promotion/relegation play off. They defeated Waterford United 5–2 on aggregate and were subsequently promoted to the 1993–94 Premier Division. They survived just two seasons in the Premier Division before being relegated at the end of the 1994–95 season. Monaghan United gained promotion to the Premier Division for a second time in 2000–01 after finishing second to Dundalk. This time their stay in the Premier Division last just one season. After managing to win just two league games, they finished last and were relegated following the conclusion of the 2001–02 season.<ref name="Graham">{{cite book|last=Graham|first=Alex|title=Football in the Republic of Ireland a Statistical Record 1921–2005|publisher=Soccer Baooks Limited|isbn=1-86223-135-4}}</ref><ref name="rsssfloe2">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ier2hist.html|title=(Republic of) Ireland League Tables – Second Level|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=10 July 2016|archive-date=3 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603033056/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/ier2hist.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ballsie">{{cite web|url=http://www.balls.ie/football/happens-teams-enter-league-ireland-first-division/205914|title=What Happens (To) Teams That Enter The League of Ireland First Division?|publisher=balls.ie|access-date=26 March 2016|date=20 February 2015|archive-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318143926/http://www.balls.ie/football/happens-teams-enter-league-ireland-first-division/205914|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rsssfloe1">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ierhist.html|title=(Republic of) Ireland League Tables|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=6 July 2016|archive-date=21 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221000146/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/ierhist.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Monaghan United reached the final of the 2010 League of Ireland Cup but lost 1–0 in the final to Sligo Rovers. They also finished third in the 2010 First Division and qualified for the promotion/relegation play off. They subsequently beat Waterford United before losing to Bray Wanderers on penalties.<ref name="sportsfile2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/10090250/|title=Sligo Rovers v Monaghan United – EA Sports Cup Final Photos|publisher=sportsfile.com|access-date=6 September 2016|date=25 September 2010|archive-date=23 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923005412/http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/10090250/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rte2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0925/271178-sligorovers_monaghanunited/|title=Sligo Rovers 1-0 Monaghan Utd|publisher=rte.ie|access-date=6 September 2016|date=25 September 2010|archive-date=11 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911024758/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0925/271178-sligorovers_monaghanunited/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rsssf2010">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ier2010.html|title=Ireland 2010|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=1 August 2016|archive-date=26 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126113602/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ier2010.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, under the management of Roddy Collins, Monaghan United again qualified for the promotion/relegation play off. This time they won promotion after beating Galway United 5–1 on aggregate.<ref name="rsssf2011">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ier2011.html|title=Ireland 2011|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=3 August 2016|archive-date=26 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126114631/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ier2011.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sportsfile2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1111002/|title=Monaghan United v Galway United – Airtricity League Promotion Relegation Play-off 1st leg Photos|publisher=sportsfile.com|access-date=6 September 2016|date=1 November 2011|archive-date=23 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923004743/http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1111002/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dundalkfc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.dundalkfc.com/galway-united-v-monaghan-united-airtricity-league-promotion-relegation-play-off-2nd-leg/|title=Galway United v Monaghan United – Airtricity League Promotion Relegation Play-off 2nd leg|publisher=dundalkfc.com|access-date=6 September 2016|date=4 November 2011|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917105844/http://www.dundalkfc.com/galway-united-v-monaghan-united-airtricity-league-promotion-relegation-play-off-2nd-leg/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, midway through the 2012 season, Monaghan United withdrew from the league for "mainly but not only financial" reasons.<ref name="the42">{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/monaghan-united-fold-airtricity-league-ireland-fai-explained-491564-Jun2012/|title=FAQ: What happens next now that Monaghan United are gone?|publisher=the42.ie|access-date=7 September 2016|date=18 June 2012|archive-date=11 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911220813/http://www.the42.ie/monaghan-united-fold-airtricity-league-ireland-fai-explained-491564-Jun2012/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="airtricity">{{cite web|url=http://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/about/press-office/4150-fai-statement-re-monaghan-united-fc-withdrawal|title=FAI Statement Re Monaghan United FC withdrawal|publisher=sseairtricityleague.ie|access-date=7 September 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919120409/http://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/about/press-office/4150-fai-statement-re-monaghan-united-fc-withdrawal|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ballsie"/><ref name="leagueofirelandie">{{cite web|url=http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/2016/06/18/monaghan-united-league-of-ireland/|title=Monaghan United exited the League of Ireland four years ago today|publisher=leagueofireland.ie|access-date=7 September 2016|date=18 June 2016|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917050128/http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/2016/06/18/monaghan-united-league-of-ireland/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rsssf2012">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ier2012.html|title=Ireland 2012|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-date=26 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126115606/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ier2012.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Statistics {| class="wikitable" |- ! Stat ! Opponent ! Score ! Season ! Date |- | '''Record Win''' | Longford Town | 5–0 | 1992–93 | 4 October 1992 |- | | Kildare County | 6–1 | 2009 | 16 October 2009 |- | | Salthill Devon | 6–1 | 2010 | 10 April 2010 |- | '''Record Defeat''' | Galway United | 0–8 | 2001–02 | 26 October 2001 |} {{small|'''Source''':<ref name="monaghanunited"/>}}
===Monaghan Cavan League=== The club continued to field a women's team in the Dublin Women's Soccer League and, together with the Cavan Monaghan Underage League (CMUL), entered a combined team for the League of Ireland U13, U15, U17 and U19 underage divisions. In 2019, Monaghan United formed a senior team to compete in the Monaghan Cavan League (MCL), entering at the First Division level.<ref name="about_mons">{{Cite web |title=About Monaghan United |url=https://www.monaghanutd.ie/about |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Monaghan United}}</ref><ref name="history_mons">{{Cite web |title=Monaghan United History |url=https://www.monaghanutd.ie/history |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Monaghan United}}</ref>
They finished off their 2019–20 debut season by winning the Sean Woods Cup and Jimmy Smith Shield Cup in September 2020, beating Glaslough Villa in both finals.<ref name="history_mons" /> That same year, the partnership with the CMUL ended, although the CMUL continued to field teams in the national underage leagues.<ref name="about_mons" />
===Ulster Senior League=== In April 2021, Monaghan United announced they would join the Ulster Senior League (USL) for the 2021–22 season. This made them the first club from Monaghan or Cavan to do so.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hooper |first=David |date=30 April 2021 |title=Monaghan United join Ulster senior league {{!}} NorthernSound |url=https://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-united-join-ulster-senior-league-173559 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207171626/https://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-united-join-ulster-senior-league-173559 |archive-date=2021-12-07 |access-date=2025-07-13 |work=NorthernSound |language=en}}</ref> However, they withdrew from the league after one season to return to the Monaghan Cavan League.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foley |first=Alan |date=1 September 2022 |title=Monaghan United withdraw from Ulster Senior League |url=https://www.inishlive.ie/news/soccer/900919/monaghan-united-withdraw-from-ulster-senior-league.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026101147/https://www.inishlive.ie/news/soccer/900919/monaghan-united-withdraw-from-ulster-senior-league.html |archive-date=2022-10-26 |access-date=2025-07-13 |language=en}}</ref>
===North East Football League=== Ahead of the 2025 summer season, Monaghan United joined Monaghan Town in leaving the Monaghan Cavan League for the North East Football League (NEFL). They joined the league at Division 3 level.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-10 |title=Superior Racking & Shelving Division 3 |url=https://nefl.ie/table/superior-racking-shelving-division-3a/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111043326/https://nefl.ie/table/superior-racking-shelving-division-3a/ |archive-date=2025-11-11 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=NEFL.ie |language=en-GB}}</ref> In their first season, they won the league by finishing top, earning promotion to Division 2.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Superior Racking & Shelving Division 3 - NEFL.ie |url=https://nefl.ie/table/superior-racking-shelving-division-3a/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111224119/https://nefl.ie/table/superior-racking-shelving-division-3a/ |archive-date=2025-11-11 |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=NEFL.ie |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===Women's team=== ====Dublin Women's Soccer League==== Monaghan United formed a ladies football team in 2006. They won Division Four of the Dublin Women's Soccer League in their first season and were promoted to Division Two. In 2007 they again won the league along with the Leinster Junior Cup. In 2008 they won the DWSL Intermediate Cup after defeating Santry 3–1 in the final. In 2012 they reached the semi-finals of the WFAI Intermediate Cup.<ref name="monaghanpeace">{{cite web|url=http://www.monaghanpeace.ie/projects/resource-allocation-projects/monaghan-united-football-club/|title=Monaghan United Football Club|publisher=monaghanpeace.ie|access-date=7 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911175735/http://www.monaghanpeace.ie/projects/resource-allocation-projects/monaghan-united-football-club/|archive-date=11 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="northernsound">{{cite web|url=http://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-face-local-derby/|title=Monaghan Face Local Derby|publisher=northernsound.ie|access-date=7 September 2016|date=24 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924065624/http://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-face-local-derby/|archive-date=24 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Grounds== {{main|Gortakeegan}} Monaghan United originally played their home games at Belgium Park which served as their home ground between 1979 and 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-10-05 |title=Bootroom: Monaghan sprouting in the right direction |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/bootroom-monaghan-sprouting-in-the-right-direction/25891566.html |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}</ref> Since 1988 they have played at Gortakeegan, the first ever game being against Drogheda United in the 1988-89 League Cup. thumb|upright|Belgium Park, the former ground of Monaghan United|alt=Belgium Park, the former ground of Monaghan United.
==Honours== ;Men *'''League of Ireland Cup''' **''Runners Up'': 2010: '''1''' *'''League of Ireland First Division''' **''Runners Up'': 2000–01: '''1''' *'''NEFL Division 3''' **''Winners'': 2025: '''1''' *'''MCL Andy Capaldi Cup''' **''Winners'': 2022-23: '''1''' *'''MCL Sean Woods Cup''' **''Winners'': 2019-20: '''1''' *'''MCL Jimmy Smith Shield''' **''Winners'': 2019-20: '''1''' ;Women *'''DWSL Intermediate Cup''' **''Winners'': 2008: '''1'''
{{small|'''Source''':<ref name="monaghanunited">{{cite web|url=http://monaghanunited.tv/?page_id=135|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105145911/http://monaghanunited.tv/?page_id=135|url-status=usurped|archive-date=5 November 2011|title= Monaghan United Factfile|publisher=monaghanunited.tv|access-date=6 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="monaghanpeace"/><ref name="northernsound"/>}}
==Notable former players== ===Internationals=== ;Republic of Ireland internationals * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Jonathan Douglas
;League of Ireland XI representatives
* {{flagicon|Ireland}} Mick Byrne * {{flagicon|Ireland}} John Coady * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Joe Hanrahan * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Brian Mooney
;Republic of Ireland B internationals * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Brian Mooney
;Republic of Ireland U23 internationals * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Derek McGrath * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Brian Mooney * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Stephen Rice
;Republic of Ireland U21 internationals {| |- style="vertical-align:top" || * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Martin Bayly * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Ritchie Bayly * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Karl Bermingham * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Mark Connolly * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Tommy Fitzgerald * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Keith Foy || * {{flagicon|Ireland}} James Hand * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Joe Hanrahan * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Stephen Maher * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Aaron McCarey * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Derek McGrath |}
;Republic of Ireland U19 internationals * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Robert Bayly * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Ricky McEvoy
;Republic of Ireland U17 internationals * {{flagicon|Ireland}} David Freeman * {{flagicon|Ireland}} John Lester * {{flagicon|Ireland}} Ger Robinson
;Other Internationals * {{flagicon|Barbados}} Alvin Rouse
===Goal scorers=== ;First Division Top Scorer {| class="wikitable" |- ! Season ! Player ! Goals |- |1990–91 |{{flagicon|Ireland}} Jim Barr |12 |- |1992–93 |{{flagicon|Ireland}} Mick Byrne |15 |- |1999–00 |{{flagicon|Ireland}} Andrew Myler |17 |- |} ;Most League Goals in a Season {| class="wikitable" |- ! Season ! Player ! Goals |- |1999–00 |{{flagicon|Ireland}} Andrew Myler |17 |- |2009 |{{flagicon|Ireland}} Karl Bermingham |17 |} ;Most League Goals {| class="wikitable" |- ! Years ! Player ! Goals |- |2001–03 |{{flagicon|Ireland}} Trevor Vaughan |28 |}
{{small|'''Source''':<ref name="monaghanunited"/><ref name="rsssftop">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iertops.html|title=Ireland – List of Topscorers|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=6 July 2016|archive-date=6 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406093820/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iertops.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
===Others=== {{flagicon|Ireland}} Paddy Andrews – All-Ireland football winner with Dublin<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/6444/paddy-andrews-signs-roddys-mons/|title=Paddy Andrews signs for Roddy's Mons|publisher=extratime.ie|access-date=7 September 2016|date=17 August 2011|archive-date=11 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311140614/http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/6444/paddy-andrews-signs-roddys-mons/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Managers== * {{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} Sean McCaffrey (1979–?) * {{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} Bobby Browne (1999–2003) * {{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} Mick Cooke (2003–11) * {{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} Roddy Collins (2011–12)
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{League of Ireland clubs}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Monaghan United F.C. Category:Association football clubs in Ulster Category:Association football clubs established in 1979 Category:Former League of Ireland clubs Category:Former League of Ireland Premier Division clubs Category:Former League of Ireland First Division clubs Category:League of Ireland B Division clubs Category:Monaghan (town) Category:Sports clubs and teams in County Monaghan Category:1979 establishments in Ireland Category:Dublin Women's Soccer League teams