Registering seven points from as many games has made it a reasonable start to the season for Mervue United, but tomorrow night at Fahy’s Field they host a Monaghan United outfit that is keen to make a bold bid for promotion.
Roddy Collins’ charges have made an encouraging opening to 2011 and even took the significant premier division scalp of Dundalk in the EA Sports Cup on Monday. Mervue will be fully aware that a tricky test awaits.
Mervue were disappointed to leave Lissywoolen without any reward last Friday. Although the EA Sports Cup loss to Derry did feature a promising performance, the Galway side was still nudged out of the competition.
Before the start of the campaign Mervue manager Johnny Glynn admitted this would be a revealing spell for the club. Gaining points in these kinds of fixtures is a must to prove progress is being made in their bid for a mid-table finish.
Mervue’s mix of youth and experience, though, has caused problems for most teams in the league and Mark Ludden, Martin Conneely, Kevin Crehan, Rory Gaffney, Tom King and Jason Molloy have all made valuable contributions recently.
Salthill Devon
Longford Town are developing nicely this term and Salthill Devon will need to summon a lively display if they are to escape from Flancare Park with anything on Saturday night.
The midlanders have won their last two contests against Waterford United and Finn Harps and possess a pacy frontman in former Shamrock Rovers attacker Don Cowan.
How the visitors deal with Cowan’s speed and hard running style will ultimately determine how this match plays out, but with only two points taken from a possible 21, Salthill need to take strides in the coming weeks and months.
