It should be an interesting encounter at Fahy's Field tomorrow evening when Mervue United entertain Limerick FC.
Pat Scully's charges are possible relegation/promotion play-off opponents for Galway United, who will be monitoring how Limerick fare against an improving Mervue United outfit.
Waterford United and Longford Town are currently two points ahead of Mervue in the table and Johnny Glynn will feel his team can finish in sixth or seventh position. That would be viewed as a decent season for Mervue, who will be hoping to test their expensively assembled visitors.
The much heralded arrivals of Joe Gamble and Denis Behan, allied to the capture of former Mervue frontrunner Rory Gaffney, bolstered the Limerick ranks as the first division race for promotion continues. Monaghan United, Cork City, and Limerick believe table-toppers Shelbourne can be caught, but Alan Matthews' experienced squad have been extremely efficient winning 20 of their 25 matches.
Mervue have emerged victorious in nine and, considering the difficulties they endured in previous campaigns at this level, that is certainly a source of comfort and pride. That these results have been achieved with so many youngsters is a credit to Mervue's style too as Ger Hanley, James Casserly, David O'Brien, John Mountney, and Pat Hoban have all contributed handsomely.
Salthill Devon remain rooted at the bottom on goal difference, having lost again at Ballybofey last Saturday. Paul McGee had Salthill primed for battle and they went in encouraged at the break following a scoreless first half, but Stephen O'Donnell pounced for an opportunistic brace for Harps.
