Salthill Devon 1
Mervue United 2
Mervue United continued their recent good form with a 2-1 victory over a somewhat unfortunate Salthill Devon side at the scenic Drom grounds. Mervue’s hero was the impressive Colie Kelly, who bagged two first-half goals, and secured a lead that Mervue resolutely defended until the final whistle. Devon will be disappointed not to have earned at least a draw in this home encounter, and can blame sloppy set-piece defending for this defeat.
Mervue made a bright start to the first half and proceeded to dominate the home side for long spells. A corner from Colie Kelly on six minutes was headed to safety off his own post by Devon fullback Rossa Mullis, but the Mervue pressure was soon to be rewarded. A couple of minutes later Robert Connolly floated in a free kick from the centre circle to the edge of the opposition box, which was punched by the out-rushing Forde to the feet of a grateful Kelly, who lashed it home past the static defence.
Buoyed by the early goal, Mervue continued to push forward in search of a second - Kelly’s confidence evident by an audacious effort to lob ’keeper Forde from 40 yards. Mervue’s set-piece delivery continuously caused the home defence problems. A 28th-minute Colie Kelly freekick rattled off the Devon bar, with Forde rooted to the spot. In the 33rd minute Steve Larkin tapped home a Connolly delivery, only for referee Ger Cahill to correctly rule him offside.
Salthill Devon were eventually woken up by an excellent near post cross by left-winger Kassimi that just evaded the head of Conor Killeen in the 38th minute. Emlyn Coyne should have done better at the other end after Larkin threaded him through on goal, but Forde saw the danger and beat the Mervue striker to the ball. Mervue’s profligacy was punished in the 43rd minute by some excellent play down the Devon right by Ronan Silke, who, after beating his man, pulled a delightful ball back to the on-running Shane Browne, which the midfielder slotted home beautifully to the ‘keeper’s right.
The home side were still congratulating themselves when Mervue struck back in added time. Once again, the Devon defence was unable to clear a Connolly set-piece delivered to the edge of the area, and this time Steve Larkin had time to pick out Kelly on the penalty spot, and the Mervue striker did not disappoint from close range.
The Salthill half-time chat was less than amiable, and although the home side upped their performance in the second half, Mervue were just as likely to score a third as concede an equaliser. Mervue were tenacious when they lost possession, and Salthill failed to open them up and create real opportunities. Liam Rockall should have converted from Kelly’s corner on 63 minutes, but headed inches wide of the right post with a free header. Devon’s best chance fell to substitute Mike Lindsey, but Eoin Martin pulled off a magnificent save at full stretch to palm his header to safety.
Salthill huffed and puffed in the final 15 minutes, but Mervue held out for a win that moves them into the top 4, and a result that will give them confidence going into their clash with Corrib Rangers next week. Salthill Devon will need to up their performance against Dynamo Blues on Saturday.
Salthill Devon: Mike Forde; Rossa Mullis, Paul Fitzpatrick, Enda Cullen, Ruben Gonzalez; Ronan Silke, Shane Cox (Mike Lindsey, 66 ), Shane Browne, Mustafa Kassimi; Ronan Gilligan (Keith Shaughnessy, 71 ), Conor Killeen (Brian Naughton, 83 ).
Mervue United: Eoin Martin, Aaron Finnerty, Ronan Connelly, Colin Lynskey, Eibhinn Lee (Eamon Feeney,70 ); Darren Smith, Steve Larkin, Liam Rockall, Sumit Chawla, Colie Kelly, Emlyn Coyne.
Referee: Ger Cahill.
