Salthill’s chance to jump ahead of Mervue

Date Published: 30-Sep-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

SALTHILL Devon will look to edge beyond local rivals Mervue United on the Airtricity First Division table when they host Limerick at Drom on Saturday evening (7pm).

With both sides level on points at the foot of the table – and Mervue United facing yet another difficult away assignment to Longford Town – a result on Saturday could finally see Salthill Devon leapfrog their city opponents.

Certainly, Salthill Devon’s form has improved of late in the last nine games or so, with Emlyn Long’s charges claiming a vital victory over Mervue and securing three invaluable draws in the interim. In, contrast, Mervue United have been on a losing streak that now extends back to 11 games, with Tom French’s outfit conceding no less than six goals apiece in their last two outings.

The consequence of this is that Mervue’s superior goal difference has been significantly whittled down. Indeed, if Mervue don’t tap into some hidden reservoir soon, it may transpire that Salthill – should they continue to hold their own – may not even have to win another game to climb up the table.

That said, if Salthill Devon can secure a result this weekend remains to be seen. In their initial meeting with Limerick in Drom earlier this season, they lost 2-3, before the Shannonsiders inflicted a 5-0 thumping on the Seagulls in the corresponding away fixture in July.

Meanwhile, Mervue United travel to Flancare Park on Saturday evening, to face a Longford Town outfit that really has failed to sparkle this season. Yet, they can still boast of 18 more points than United, compliments of their eight wins – including a 2-1 victory over Mervue – and six draws.

However, while Longford will be favoured to take the points in this one against a Mervue United side which has been shorn of the services of Enda Curran, Nicky Curran and Simon Walsh through suspension, Mervue will be buoyed by the fact that they recorded a 4-3 victory over the same opposition at home earlier this summer. Kick-off is 7:30pm.