Mervue United and Salthill Devon clash for the first time this season in the Airtricity League first division.
The two will meet on Saturday at 7pm in what is expected to be a highly competitive clash between these two local sides that are propping up the league table. Both clubs are looking for a first win in the campaign, but Mervue are ahead of Salthill by virtue of one point from a draw with Limerick in the opening round.
Last weekend Saltill were defeated 2 - 3 at home by Limerick, while Mervue lost 2-1 to Longford Town.
Mervue manager Tom French was disappointed to have lost to Longford - only their second win of the season - in a scrappy encounter at Flancare Park.
“I felt we dominated the first 45 minutes but couldn’t get that crucial goal to go ahead and give us a grip on it. As with any game, if you don’t take your chances, you get punished and that’s what happened,” he said. “ Longford got into the game in the second half and caught us with two set pieces. We were all gutted with the result as this was definitely a game that we should have come home with something.”
Longford’s winning goal came five minutes from time, although there was some controversy surrounding Mervue’s equaliser in the 69th minute. Town goalkeeper Aaron Shanahan dropped Nicky Curran's long-range effort and the linesman adjudged that the ball had crossed the line.
