Mervue United advance to FAI Youth Cup final

Date Published: {J}

Mervue United 3

Newbridge Town 2

Mike Rafferty

The margin at the end might look a little slender but the reality was that Mervue United were by far the better team as they qualified for the FAI Youth Cup final for the first time in their history.

At Fahy’s Field on Sunday three opening half goals in an 11 minute spell was enough to see off a visiting side who were accomplished but beatable and who just threatened on a few occasions.

Mervue did just about enough to win and it seemed to be a nervous display by the home side. Their performance was not a patch on the one which saw them dismiss a better Clonmel Town side in the quarter final, but then semi finals are all about keeping the nerve and getting the right result.

There was little of the flowing football that this side is capable of, as the punt or long ball always seemed the better option as opposed to a short pass and finding a colleague. However some players rose to the challenge: Dan Cunningham was by far the best player on the park as his contribution was massive, while skipper Paul Scally was one of the few who kept the ball on the surface and played the ball about and he not only contribute the third goal, but was also involved in the second.

A talented front two of Enda Curran and Pat Huban got few opportunities on the day, but in fairness the supply was the main problem. However while they rarely threatened in the scoring stakes, they did link up and hold the ball up well when the service was provided.

The opening quarter produced rather limited fare as both teams saw plenty of ball as play extended from box to box, but neither ‘keeper was tested. Curran broke away from midfield but elected to shoot early and his blast was well over, before fellow striker Huban flashed a header into the side netting following a Cunningham corner. At the other end Cunningham deflected a Dan Nea shot out for a corner and from the set piece Gary Shaw headed wide.

A Paul Smith cross picked out Billy Lane, but his header was easily gathered up by ‘keeper Jamie Quinn, but Mervue took the lead on 32 minutes. Barry McEntee did extremely well when twice winning challenges down the right and after making ground to the edge of the area he set up Curran for a tap in and a 1-0 lead.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.