Gaffney goal secures First Division spot for Mervue

Date Published: {J}

MERVUE UNITED 2

MONAGHAN UNITED 1

IN what was a weekend of shock results in the Airtricity league involving all three Galway clubs, second from bottom Mervue United guaranteed their place in the First Division for next season following a 2-1 win over title chasing Monaghan United on Saturday night at Terryland Park.

Just as Galway Utd put a serious dent in Bohemians’ Premier Division title hopes on Friday night, Mervue did the same to Monaghan’s title and promotion hopes the following night in the First Division.

It was also the first occasion that all three Galway clubs recorded wins over the same weekend, as Salthill also defeated Cork City on Friday night to defy bookmakers odds of over 1,000/1 for all three to win.

It took a quarter of an hour before Mervue created the first chance of the game when Dave Goldbey crossed for Rory Gaffney, whose low effort produce an excellent diving save from Gabriel Sava.

Monaghan’s response was immediate as Cathal O’Connor missed a glorious chance at the other end as he shot wide of Ger Hanley following a cross-field ball by Aiden Collins.

The home team went in front on the half hour mark after Shane Grimes had made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to stop Goldbey scoring as he deflected the ball out  for a corner. However, Mervue were’t to be denied as from the resulting corner, Goldbey powerfully headed h ome Alex Lee’s perfect delivery.

For more. read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.