Tomorrow evening's interesting FAI Cup second-round clash at Eamonn Deacy Park will provide a welcome break from league action for both SD Galway and Mervue United.
SD Galway, still without a victory in 2012, face a Mervue side that has improved in recent weeks. Alan Murphy's brace and a Jason Molloy goal earned Mervue an ultimately convincing success over Wexford Youths to move them within four points of sixth-placed Finn Harps last weekend.
Mervue's last four matches have featured two victories which is a sign they are becoming stronger following a shaky start. Injuries disrupted Mervue in the early weeks of the season, but there is a more solid look to them now with Murphy providing quality and experience alongside a string of youngsters.
Goalkeeper Ronan Forde will be one of several players to have featured for both clubs, while the form of Michael McSweeney, Mike Elwood, James Casserly, Molloy, Gary Kelly, Murphy, and Hoban suggests Mervue are beginning to acquire confidence.
SD Galway, with a similarly youthful squad, require an injection of momentum and optimim following five losses on the spin. There was a gritty display at Flancare Park on Saturday, but SD Galway were still beaten by the first division league leaders.
In those reversals SD Galway have scored two and conceded 11 which is a worry, but they were unfortunate not to nick a positive result in the midlands.
Enda Curran and Luke McConnell both went close for SD Galway, but the visitors were not clinical enough and Longford were able to maintain their smashing opening to the year.
Though it was a top versus bottom clash, SD Galway delivered a determined display, but they must replicate that level of performance against Mervue.
Eric Browne, Mike Tierney, and Enda Curran all served the Mervue cause, but they will be keen to make an impact for SD Galway. Eugene Greaney, Cian Fadden, Tom Bradshaw, and Timmy Molloy have been solid contributors for Tony Mannion's charges throughout the campaign.
SD Galway and Mervue have already divided first division spoils at Deacy Park back when finishing 2-2 on April 13. That was a lively encounter sprinkled with good goals and it promises to be similarly hard fought tomorrow.
A couple of years ago Salthill Devon pinched a late equaliser in an FAI Cup tie with Galway United at the same venue in the last all-Galway clash in the competition. At that stage Salthill were struggling in the league, but they still summoned a passionate cup display before being soundly beaten in the replay as Galway United cruised to an easy win.
In cup football the form book is shredded and league form does not carry too much importance because anything can happen. Mervue have made more of an impact in the first division than SD Galway, who have only registered three draws from a dozen fixtures. Those stalemates have all happened at the Dyke Road venue so a Fahy's Field replay on Monday night is a distinct possibility.
