Mervue Utd strive to get back on track in tie with table toppers

Keith Kelly

MERVUE United will hope to get their First Division campaign back on track in Fahy’s Field tonight when they host league leaders Longford Town (7.45pm).

Johnny Glynn’s side slipped to third in the table last weekend when going down by the only goal of the game against Finn Harps and, in the process, fall six points behind tonight’s visitors, who they drew 1-1 with in Longford back in April.

That was a game the city side should have won comfortably, a bluntness in front of goal costing them a deserved three points, but they have never enjoyed much luck at the Strokestown Road venue, that game being their eighth visit to the ground, none of which has seen them record a win.

They have made their best-ever start to the League of Ireland this season, with last weekend’s reversal at the hands of Finn Harps being just their second defeat of the season, and they are unbeaten in five home games in the current campaign.

Mervue go into tonight’s game on the back of two defeats – they followed up that loss to Finn Harps with a 4-0 loss at the hands of Sligo Rovers in the EA Sports League Cup in the Showgrounds on Monday night.

That reversal needs to be put into perspective, as the hosts fielded an almost full-strength side, while Glynn was without six of the players who started the game against Harps. That meant it was always a tall order for Mervue, and it was made more difficult when they were reduced to ten men after just 18 minutes, Barry O’Mahony receiving a straight red card for handball on the line, and as a result he is suspended for tonight’s game.

Salthill Devon go into their game away to Cobh Ramblers tomorrow night also on the back of two defeats, but in very different circumstances. Athlone Town scored a last minute winner to take all three points in the league in Drom on Friday night; while Devon were knocked out of the EA Sports League Cup by St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday night, but only thanks to two late goals in extra time.

Devon took the lead in the 51st minute through Enda Curran, only to be pegged back nine minutes later through a Cian Fadden own goal. They took the lead again four minutes before the end of the first period of extra-time through Brian Geraghty, but Pat’s equalised for a second time five minutes from time, and hit the winner with two minutes remaining.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.