Mervue win again as Devon concede walk-over to Hibs

Date Published: {J}

Mike Rafferty

Various challenges have been put to defending Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division champions Mervue United in the opening weeks of the new season, and like champions they have responded impressively.

On Sunday, they had to kick again after losing a two goal interval advantage against the students of NUI Galway, who were playing the first game of the campaign, but with a side almost getting stronger as the weeks go by, they responded in style with a late brace to win by 4-2.

Elsewhere the main talking point of the weekend was the concession by Salthill Devon of their game away to Hibernians in Bohermore. It appears that the manager-less side advised the Galway FA on Saturday of their inability to field.

It is almost unbelievable that a club with the structures and personal it possesses cannot field a team in just the fourth week of the season. Hibernians were awarded the points and they remain in second position, while still enjoying a game in hand on the leaders.

Mervue United 4

NUI Galway 2

This was a contest that proved that the home side are able to respond to all challenges, and while they were always the better side in this contest at Fahy’s Field, they had to dig deep to eventually see off the students.

Mervue were certainly the better side, and having taken a two-goal interval advantage, they were caught cold by a College side who were in action for the first time this season as they pulled back the deficit.

Former Galway United assistant manager Garrett Gorman has taken over from Derek Rogers as NUIG manager and while his charges went down in this encounter, he was pleased with their comeback and the quality they displayed.

The home side took the lead when Brian Meaney headed home an Arron Finnerty cross and they added a second before the break, when Tommy Walsh applied the finish after Robert Connolly had knocked down a set piece delivery in the box.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.