First division title favourites Limerick FC will be Mervue United's visitors at Fahy's Field tomorrow in what promises to be an interesting encounter.
Featuring two former Republic of Ireland senior internationals, Joe Gamble and Dominic Foley, Limerick boss Pat Scully has assembled a forceful panel of players with Barry Ryan, Shane Guthrie, Stephen Bradley, Pat Purcell, and former Galway United winger Derek O'Brien all prominent figures for the Treatymen.
Still for all of Limerick's high profile footballers they still were shocked by a Waterford United team that had been thumped themselves on the opening night by Wexford Youths. Those results essentially proved that anything can happen in the early weeks of the campaign and Mervue manager Johnny Glynn will be emphasising this to his charges.
To date the two Galway clubs have only taken one point between them, and that is a real worry as both managers, Glynn and SD Galway’s Tony Mannion, will be hoping their teams become more efficient in the coming weeks and months.
Mervue were gritty and resourceful at Ballybofey last Saturday night causing Finn Harps plenty of problems, even after defender James Casserley had been red carded. Despite the dismissal of the promising Casserley, who will now miss the Limerick fixture through suspension, Mervue continued to display character with 10 men.
That will encourage Glynn as Mervue were unfortunate not to earn a share of the spoils. Last year it was all about Mervue's youth as they finished in a respectable seventh place, but the acquisition of Alan Murphy adds a drop of experience that should help develop Casserley, Mike Elwood, Noel Varley, and Pat Hoban.
Jason Molloy's brace suggests the skilful attacker can be a significant attacking threat again this term, while the pacy Etanda Nkololo also hit the target as Mervue pressed for a late leveller.
SD Galway FC, who recovered to draw with Wexford Youths last weekend, make the long trek to face Waterford United at the RSC.
A spirited revival culminated in Brian Gaffney netting a splendid equaliser as SD Galway's first home game at Terryland Park ended in stalemate.
That was an adequate result for SD Galway, who will be hoping that Nicky Curran, Brian Geraghty, Mixie Harty, and Mike Tierney's League of Ireland experience will assist a young group. Tom Bradshaw, Gaffney, Timmy Molloy, Ronan Conlon, Cian Fadden, and Colm Horgan have all offered glimpses of their ability at this level during the last year.
With the Mannions, Tony and John, in the dug-out, SD Galway will hit every fixture willing to battle. Such grit and determination will be required in the southeast tomorrow.
