Colga moved off the foot of the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier League thanks to a hard-earned point from Sunday’s clash with Mervue United at a bitterly cold Sullivan Park. Quite how Mervue, who played by far the better football throughout, failed to win is a mystery but sometimes skill alone is not enough as the elements certainly had their part to play in the final outcome of this game.
Mervue began the game with the stiff, icy breeze at their backs and Darren Smith was first to chance his arm with a wind-assisted strike in the fifth minute that forced Paul Collins into a smart save. Mervue were moving with intent, as Shane Maher, who had scored twice for the club’s U20 side in Derry on Saturday, showed some classy touches in the middle of the park.
For all that, though, they had ‘keeper Trevor Garvey to thank for denying Cathal Connolly while Maurice Finn attempted a clever chip when something more forceful was needed in the 14th minute. Gary Forde also tried his luck with a shot but it was Mervue who took the lead soonafter when Emlyn Coyne fed Sumit Chawla on the left flank and his perfect cross was angled into the far corner by Eddie Lenihan.
Colie Kelly’s 32nd minute shot forced Collins to concede a corner and Kelly judged the wind to perfection from the sideline, arcing a wicked cross over the ‘keeper into the far top corner to give his side a healthier advantage. It was not to be the last goal from such a situation.
The hosts couldn’t add to their lead before the break, but Coyne did go close in the 52nd minute when turning sharply in the box but he sent his shot just the wrong side of the post. Then came a spectacular ninety second spell during which Colga not only got back into the tie but drew level.
Gary Forde, in a rich vein of goalscoring form at present, made it six in three games when matching Kelly’s attempt from the same corner flag in the 55th minute. In a flash, Colga had forced another corner on the other side of the pitch and Forde’s left footed cross this time found Cathal Connolly who guided the ball home from close range.
So with half an hour remaining the sides were level, and it was unclear as to who would strike next. Mervue were weaving all the pretty patterns but stumbling closer to goal, while Colga were breaking with purpose and Garvey had to be off his line sharply to deny David Coen.
Kelly was pushed forward into a strikers role for Mervue, and he provided the necessary finish to a smart move instigated by centre half Colin Lynskey in the 69th minute. Forde threatened to score again from corners but was fractionally over on a couple of occasions.
A crude tackle from Colga’s Alan Biard eleven minutes from time could have led to harsher punishment considering he had already been booked. The tackle robbed Mervue of influential centre half Ger McGrath, and they suffered the consequences within a minute when Jocelita Costa’s good work on the right created a shooting chance for Coen, who finished well to tie up matters once more.
Costa could even have won it late on when his spectacular overhead kick was acrobatically tipped over by Garvey, who also denied Coen in the dying stages. It would have been a harsh loss for Mervue to stomach but they eventually settled for a draw. They face a trip to Dangan next weekend while Colga face a relegation six-pointer against struggling Salthill Devon up in Drom.
Mervue United: Trevor Garvey; Aaron Finnerty, Ger McGrath, Colin Lynskey, Darren Smith; Eamonn Feeney, Shane Maher, Colie Kelly, Summit Chawla; Eddie Lenihan, Emlyn Coyne. Subs: Brendan Mooney for Maher (62 mins ), Dermot Dooney for McGrath (79 mins ), Dara King for Lenihan (90 mins ).
Colga: Paul Collins; Darren Healy, James McDonnell, Robert O’Grady, Ollie Mullins; Maurice Finn, Enda Connolly, Alan Biard, Gary Forde; Dermot Mulrooney, Cathal Connolly. Subs: David Coen for Healy (38 mins ), Jocelita Costa for Mulrooney (73 mins ).
Referee: Tony Geasley.
