By Cian O’Connell
Two FAI Cup postponements impacted on Mervue United's week, but Johnny Glynn's side are back in Airtricity League action at Fahy's Field tomorrow evening when hosting Finn Harps.
SD Galway's recent improvement means Mervue are only one point ahead of their cross-town rivals so real significance is attached to this tussle.
The statistics are grim for Mervue with only four wins registered in 22 outings, with three losses on the spin particularly worrying.
Mervue produced a fairly competent display in their last outing, but still lost out to promotion-chasing Longford Town who were more clinical converting chances.
Despite struggling to earn victories during a testing year, there have been flashes of Mervue's ability and several youngsters continue to develop at this level. Connor Gleeson, also a promising Gaelic footballer, has impressed between the sticks, while Michael McSweeney, Gary Kelly, Mike Elwood, Noel Varley, Pat Hoban, and Jason Molloy have all delivered at different stages of the campaign.
With the FAI Cup fixture away to Waterford rescheduled for next Monday, the coming four days bring plenty of challenges. A success in the south east would edge Mervue into the quarter-final stage of that competition with a trip to the Brandywell for a tussle with Derry City the prize for whoever emerges from the RSC scrap.
Two triumphs in a row have suddenly given SD Galway momentum and they make the long trek to Ferrycarrig Park tomorrow to face Wexford Youths, carrying equal measures of hope and expectation.
With renewed confidence SD Galway are now beginning to believe they can avoid another dreaded bottom place finish.
SD Galway didn't have a fixture last weekend, but a similarly energetic performance will be required in the south east. In the Athlone match SD Galway took maximum advantage of the few slices of good fortune that came their way to grab goals at critical stages to outfox the midlanders. Eugene Greaney, Colm Horgan, Paddy Quinlan, Mixie Harty, Ronan Conlon, and Brian Gaffney have occupied roles in SD Galway's dramatic revival. The Wexford Youths contest, though, will offer an accurate barometer as to how many strides SD Galway have taken in the past month.
In other action Galway United Supporters’ Trust u-19s open their National League against local rivals Mervue United at Deacy Park on Saturday ( 7.30pm ).
