Mervue end season with defeat to Finn Harps

Date Published: {J}

Finn Harps 4

Mervue United 0

Mervue United brought their second season in the League of Ireland to an end in Ballybofey on Saturday night with another heavy defeat, the four goals they conceded bringing to 84 goals the number shipped by Tom French’s side this season, 20 more than last year.

They also finished four points off their total from last year’s debut season, but in fairness to Mervue, there is a general consensus that this was the toughest-ever First Division since the second tier was first introduced for the 1985/86 season.

They finished the campaign in 11th position, the same as last year, and while ideally the club would have liked to have seen some progress from last season, the simple fact is they avoided the relegation play-off at the expense of city rivals Salthill Devon, and how have a third season in the Airtricity League to look forward to.

Mervue went into the game on the back of a shock win over title chasing Monaghan United in Terryland Park the previous week, which is likely to have been their last league game at Terryland as the club plans on playing on their home turf in Fahy’s Field next season.

That win was their best result of the season and helped them amass seven points from four games to ensure First Division survival, and with the pressure off on Saturday, they put in a great performance which went unrewarded, not for the first time this season.

Ger Hanley saved an early effort from Gary Merritt, while Noel Varley fired wide from a good position after Dan Cunningham’s free-kick was headed into his path by Mike Tierney, before the home side took the lead in the 33rd minute. The visitors failed to fully clear a Harps’ corner, and Tommy Bonner was on hand to fire home from the edge of the box.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.