It has been an encouraging start to the League of Ireland season for Mervue United in many different ways and tomorrow night at Fahy’s Field Johnny Glynn’s team will face another tough encounter with Limerick FC.
Pat Scully’s side are expected to make a bold bid for promotion, but they have made an indifferent opening to the campaign, registering eight points from their first six matches. Though Mervue have posted seven points from five fixtures they are content with that figure considering the strides that are being made on and off the field.
Glynn has Mervue well organised and, after a season spent watching matches in a scouting role for Derry City, he will be fully aware of the threat Limerick carry when they are in the mood. Scully is a proven operator at this level as his impressive work with Kilkenny City and Shamrock Rovers proves.
Scully arguably does not get the credit he deserves for stabilising the Hoops and steering them to a rapid promotion following one interesting year outside the top flight and several ex Rovers players are involved under his watch at Limerick again.
Barry Ryan, Corie Tracey, Chris Breen, John Frost, and Stephen O’Flynn all have extensive experience in the Premier League while Shane Tracey, once of Arsenal and Galway United, Brian McCarthy, and Gary Sheahan are capable operators too.
With crowds increasing and the team’s football certainly evolving, Mervue will be armed with enough belief to think that they can rattle the visitors. Having bagged five goals in their last outing defeating Wexford Youths, Mervue will be eager to replicate the drive and verve of that display, but it will be a demanding task against a Limerick outfit who possess lofty ambitions themselves.
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