Now in their second season in the League of Ireland, Salthill Devon were hoping to make some progress this year, but they have endured a disappointing couple of months. And it does not get any easier with Shelbourne the visitors to Drom on Saturday evening.
With only two points registered, Salthill are at the foot of the table, but Emlyn Long and Mike Quirke continue to battle defiantly as they seek to move away from the bottom. So many youngsters at the club are being given opportunities to operate in the first division, but Salthill are also eager to retain their premier division status in the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier League and this appears to be having an impact.
The regulars in the Salthill first team such as Ronan Forde, Cian Fadden, Gearoid O’Leidhinn, Cian McBrien, and Ciprian Straut have been solid, but several others have played for the club’s junior team in recent weeks which is a huge source of anger locally. Salthill, though, do not make the rules, and even if the results have not been as they would have wished, the Drom outfit will not roll over when Shelbourne visit this weekend.
Mervue United
Mervue United’s desire for a respectable campaign in mid table looks to be an attainable target especially following Friday’s surprise win over Monaghan United.
Jason Molloy is a footballer with plenty to offer at a higher level and his flashes of class nudged Mervue to a splendid success over Roddy Collins’ charges. Mervue face the long trek to the Waterford Sports Centre for a contest with a Waterford United side that has encountered a surprisingly tough start to 2011. Expected by many to be serious promotion contenders, Waterford have 10 points - the same as their opponents Mervue. Still the first division is very competitive and table toppers Shelbourne are only nine ahead, so there is a lot to play for Suirside.
