Mervue United was founded in 1960. Decades later Declan McDonnell, a man synonymous with the proud club, is still going strong eager to develop and improve.
Now 62 years later McDonnell speaks fondly about the vision that was implemented by the generation before him. “In the winter of 1960 a group of adults, who had been involved in football or enjoyed football all their lives approached myself and Jackie Keane from Barry Avenue,” McDonnell says about how it all started.
A few months later Mervue played their first U13 fixture at the Sportsground. “They were a great bunch of adults, who cared for the kids of the day,” he recalls. “Our biggest problem was to get a pitch, we had to move five or six times.”
The switch to Fahy’s Field, though, has worked out well. Facilities have been improved and maintained ensuring footballers continue to be crafted. “It has been a very successful home, some great people have come through the club, some outstanding people in Galway football,” McDonnell says.
“In 1992, 10 of us, all young married guys at the time guaranteed 4,000 each which was a lot of money in 1992. That gave us 40,000 in the bank and we got a sports grant of £42,000, we built the first dressing rooms on the old wing, the wing nearest The Connacht.
“What I probably get annoyed about is people think Mervue got all of that facility for nothing. We did not get it for nothing, we put exactly 1.7 million into that ground. If any other club put that into a ground I would say yes ye should have it.
“There is a jealousy out there as far as I'm concerned - that isn't true because nobody in Mervue ever did anything to deprive anyone, they did it for the good of the community and the good of football in Galway.”
It was in the 1908s that Mervue really began to flourish according to McDonnell. Successful underage teams had been manufactured so that was eventually reflected at adult level.
“We had huge successes in the 80s,” McDonnell recalls before highlighting an FAI Cup clash against UCD. “In 1985 we played UCD, we qualified through the Intermediate Cup.
“We had 3,500 in Terryland on a very cold February day, we lost to the cup holders, 2-1. We were very unlucky on the day, that was probably one of the starts of the growth and the huge interest in Mervue United.
“That is probably why we had success because we had brilliant individuals, but also brilliant characters.”
Producing footballers and competing for national underage silverware became the mission. “We have had huge successes in the players that have gone across the water,” he adds. “At one stage we had 10 players that had come through Mervue across the water, that was huge.
“I remember when Ryan Manning was transferred, he had run out of contract. To be fair to Tommy Dunne he went to QPR, Harry Redknapp I think was the manager at the time. He got a deal that a certain amount of money would be paid. Ryan Manning was a huge asset to Galway, as was Greg [Cunningham], Aaron Connolly, the Shaughnessys, Stevie Folan was another one that was very good.
“I don't think people realise the work Mervue did on that. Cregmore were involved, Mervue gave up some of their money to get that over the line which suited Galway United at the time.”
“Sometimes the good deeds that are done are forgotten and they shouldn't be.”
McDonnell acknowledges and respects the standards John Caulfield is setting with Galway United. “John Caulfield is a gentleman, he will come to talk to me, that is the way all of it should be,” McDonnell states. “We should be working together.”
Mervue had a spell in senior football so McDonnell is fully aware of the challenges, and especially, costs involved. “People think it is easy to be in the League of Ireland,” he replies.
“Financially it is very difficult. We had an all amateur situation, we paid fellas for travelling with car expenses, that was it.
“I can remember when we left the League of Ireland the last year we lost €100,000. People think Mervue is loaded with money, but we had to fight for three or four years to get our finances back in order.”
McDonnell’s desire for the Mervue cause has not diminished. So how can the game progress in the west? “I would say to people look after your own club, don't be worrying what Mervue United is doing or Salthill is doing or Oranmore is doing,” he says. “Look after your own and co-operate with the others to make this county and the Galway & District League a better league.”
