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Tierney ready for historic EA SPORTS Cup semi final
Monaghan United take part in their first ever national semi final tonight, but captain Don Tierney wants the players to go one further and book their place in the EA SPORTS Cup final.


Monaghan host Dundalk tonight (kick-off 8pm) at Gortakeegan, with a place in the EA SPORTS Cup final at stake for the winners. United have never made it to the last four of a national competition before and Tierney believes they have the opportunity to make further club history by taking their place in the competition final.


“It’s a great draw for us - it’s a home match, which is obviously what you want in cup fixtures, and it’s against the local rivals,” he said. “Being the Premier Division team Dundalk will be favourites going into the match, but we have a good chance.


“This is the first national semi final the club has ever been in so it’s a huge game for the club, but having come this far you want to make sure you get to the final. Nobody wants to go out at semi final stage. Getting to a final would be huge for the club. The club is trying to increase its support base and occasions like an EA SPORTS Cup final would be a big help with that.”


Monaghan have emerged as promotion contenders this season and are currently second in the table. While most pundits focused on the likely promotion race between Cork City, Derry City, Shelbourne and Waterford United, Monaghan United, along with Limerick, have emerged as strong candidates for promotion.


“We’re in the EA SPORTS Cup semi final and we’re in the play-off positions in the league, so it’s been a good season so far,” said Tierney. “We’re going to keep pushing for the league but, realistically, Derry City are the best team in the division. But we’ll be hoping to stay in the play-off positions and win promotion that way.


“I’ve only made it to the semi final of the EA SPORTS Cup once before, about ten years ago with Finn Harps. It shows you that semi final appearances don’t come around very often. For most of the lads this will be their first ever semi final appearance.


“I’m happy with how I’ve been playing this season. I had the birth of my first son early on in the season and that sort of knocked me back a few weeks – it was more than worth it, of course! Once I got used to the occasional sleepless night, I think I’ve pushed on and I’m happy with how I’ve been playing in the last two or three months.”
 
 
 
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