Mervue United u-19s will be presented with the Airtricity Southern Division u-19 Cup following their last home game this evening.
Justin Neary’s side will play Limerick at Fahy’s Field (7.30pm ) after which the chairman of the Airtricity League, Eamonn Naughton, Airtricity u-19 League co-ordinator Pat Duffy, and a representative of Airtricity will make the presentation.
The road to this achievement began last August against Wexford Youths in Ferrycarrig Park where Mervue took all three points despite losing influential captain Richard Fahy to a serious injury. A sublime free kick by Aaron McDonagh followed by an 88th minute spectacular volley by Michael James saw the visitors take the victory, providing this new-look team with real confidence.
In the remaining three games in the first series against Bohemians, Limerick, and Longford Town, Mervue garnered a further seven points leaving them sitting in pole position heading into the second series of game.
The second series proved more difficult to negotiatem but with another seven points Mervue remained top - the highlight being a thrilling 4-4 draw away to Dublin kingpins Bohemians in Dalymount Park, where trailing 3-0 after 20 minutes and reduced to 10 men, Mervue clawed themselves back to lead 4-3, only to succumb to an injury-time equaliser.
In the final series of games Mervue’s 1-0 win over Bohemians proved crucial before finishing with a 7-1 victory over Longford, with Ryan Manning scoring four of his side’s tally. In Ferrycarrig Park Wexford Youths did Mervue a favour when drawing 2-2 with title favourites Limerick FC.
It is a huge achievement for the club, manager Neary and his backroom team of Colin Nolan, Ollie Neary and Gerry Murphy. Since then Ryan Manning has been released to play for the newly-formed Galway FC, while talented winger Aaron McDonagh could follow suit in the July transfer window.
Mervue u-19s are currently engaged in a final series of play-off games which has afforded them an opportunity to blood new talent for next season. They can now look forward to playing in one of the expanded Northern or Southern Divisions that are proposed for the 2014/2015 season.
