In this top versus bottom tie, Mervue United’s winning margin crisply illustrated the gulf in class between the sides. Although Kiltullagh were missing a number of regulars, the quality and fluidity of the home side’s control and movement was most impressive, particularly given the atrocious conditions the players had to endure at Fahy’s field yesterday morning.
Aided by the elements, United laid the foundations for the three first division points in the first period. While Kiltullagh struggled to get the ball to feet all morning they were also unable to cope with Mervue’s superior touch and cohesiveness which was apparent from the get go. Despite some glorious early chances it was midway through the half though before the city boys opened their account. Mark Lynch beat his marker up along the left wing before cutting back across the box to the inrushing Dave O’Boyle. The midfielder’s shot was deflected back into the path of Lynch, who made no mistake from close range.
Such was the incessant pressure on Brian McDonagh in the Kiltullagh goal, it was a matter of when not if Mervue would get a second, which, when it arrived was of the bizarre variety. Eoin O’Boyle’s free kick smacked back off the crossbar and fell to Noel McDonnell, whose effort hit the post before Mark Coneelly finally finished with aplomb.
Lynch’s cheeky chipped effort almost wrapped up the game as a contest prior to the break but that honour was bestowed upon Mark Boyle on the resumption, whose powerful long range effort found the bottom corner. As the incessant rain intensified, so too did the openings available to the home side and McDonnell punished sloppy defending shortly after to get his second for the day.
Niall Carney provided Kitullagh with their sole source of creativity throughout, and the winger was rewarded for his toil with a neat finish following a rare attacking break from the depleted visitors. McDonnell was deprived of a hat trick late on as the front man’s mazy run ended with his shot hitting the woodwork, once again.
Substitute Damien Kenny’s double concluded the rout close to the end as Kiltullagh’s Vinny Earls snatched the visitors second of the day. Mervue were most impressive, and on this evidence appear well equipped to sustain their title charge, as their ability to consistently maintain posession, despite the conditions, was admirable. Donal Cheshire’s Kiltullagh will be disappointed with their showing but should be a more formidable opposition in the future when at full strength.
Mervue United B: D Roche; L Concannon, D Devlin, A Tormey, M Coneeley; Colm Flaherty, M Boyle, E O’Boyle, D O’Boyle; N McDonagh, M Lynch.
Kiltullagh: B McDonagh; J Keane, S O’Donovan, T Madden, M Creaven; V Earls, T O’Donovan, E Cleary, N Carney; I Creaven, P O’Donovan.
