Mervue United face defining game in play-off chase

This weekend could be a defining one in terms of the top of the table in the First Division, with the top four set to meet in a pair of game that could decide the title, as well as the teams to finish in the promotion play-off places.

Mervue United probably need a win when they welcome second-placed Longford Town to Fahy’s Field tonight (7.45pm)  – lose, and they’ll be sweating on the result of the game between table-toppers Athlone Town and third-placed Waterford United tomorrow night.

With just three games of the season remaining, Johnny Glynn’s side are four points off the play-off places on 40 points, with both Longford Town and Waterford United sitting on 44 points, and a win tonight will cut the gap on the Midlands’ side to just a point.

Mervue having the easier run-in of the two sides – home to Cobh and away to Wexford, as opposed to Longford’s final two games at home to Wexford and away to Athlone – so in some regards they will be in the driving seat for the play-offs.

While Mervue have a play-off place to play for, Salthill Devon are left only with pride to battle for as they travel south to take on Cobh Ramblers tomorrow (7.30pm) in a bottom of the table clash.

Defeat last week means that, barring a massive swing in goal difference, Devon will finish the season on at the foot of the table for the fourth year on the bounce, although they can make serious inroads into addressing that with a big win tomorrow night.

They are nine points behind tomorrow’s hosts and are 13 goals worse off than Cobh with three games remaining, and for a side that has won just four games all season, expecting them to win their last three is a bit of a tall order.