Coming from a bohemian city renowned for its dreamers and schemers, it came as no surprise that Mervue United ventured to Station Road accompanied with hope and quiet expectation. That the trip home was brimful of contentment simply added to the sense of satisfaction as Mervue must now deliberate on whether to accept entry into the Eircom League First Division. Conferences will be organised briskly.
Judging by the zealous manner in which their mixture of coltish youngsters relished this challenge the next instalment in the Mervue tale should be interesting. Having frittered away a two-goal headstart at Fahy’s Field the signs suggested that Kildare County’s experience would be consequential, but it was all Mervue in a surprisingly dramatic opening as the visitors settled into an evening of hard and solid grafting. Within the first five minutes a couple of crosses were flashed across the Kildare goal before David Goldbey was denied by an Austin O’Neill save.
Brian O’Donoghue’s mammoth delivery elicited panic in the Kildare rearguard, and Goldbey strolled clear, but was unable to supply the required grace note.
Interestingly Johnny Glynn sought to pack the midfield, eager to use Mike Tierney and Gary Traynor’s industry alongside Rynal Browne’s experience. And the policy worked a treat as Kildare struggled to attain any passing rhythm on a heavy surface that wasn’t conducive to quality fare.
That didn’t exactly bother Mervue who hit the front on the quarter hour courtesy of a smashing David O’Brien free kick. Ollie Keogh was fouled, and right full O’Brien dashed forward from the back. The moderate attendance that gathered at the Newbridge venue waited patiently for the expected cross, but O’Brien’s intentions were altogether different.
Spotting that custodian O’Neill had left a gap at the near stick O’Brien squeezed a clever free kick home via the post. Suddenly it was the locals who were being forced to deal with the burden that raging hot favouritism brings.
While Dave O’Connell nodded a close range header over during a burst of Kildare dominance, Mervue were threatening on the break. O’Neill didn’t deal adequately with the aerial deliveries fizzed into the area by Keogh and O’Brien as Mervue sought to put some flesh on their lead.
Still Kildare ought to have levelled on the half hour when Tierney’s loose pass was seized upon by Cathal Brady, and the ball eventually fell at Craig Mooney’s feet, but the winger’s shot was deflected wide. Then Brady drilled an effort that was headed away by Eric Browne. It was one of those nights for Mervue.
Questions were being posed of Mervue’s resolve, and the necessary skill and spirit was evident. Glimpses of craft were provided by O’Brien, who enhanced his burgeoning reputation; alert and capable of venturing forward too, O’Brien was Mervue’s most competent performer as Glynn’s enthusiastic outfit trotted off at the break with an advantage for the second time in four days.
Opportunities followed at either end in a similarly eventful third quarter. Ciaran Kilduff had a header saved by O’Donoghue, while Mike Elwood came within a whisker of putting Mervue two ahead. Then Philly Hughes’ deft flick released Kilduff, who sliced horribly over.
Goldbey didn’t suffer from the same affliction in the 64th minute when steering a crisp shot beyond O’Neill after Keogh’s slide rule pass prised the Kildare defence open.
Mervue were rocking and the third goal in the 81st minute demonstrated O’Brien’s conviction, and Goldbey’s confidence. O’Brien expertly outfoxed Kilduff on the edge of his own area, and rambled forward a couple of yards before guiding an immaculate pass into Goldbey’s path. With O’Neill stranded Goldbey proceeded to loft a cunning chip above, and the Mervue celebrations spilled into the stand. They continued into the early hours of Saturday morning.
Kildare County: O’Neill; Donnelly, O’Connell, Murray, Powderley (Issaka, 68 ); Mooney (Bowers, 50 ), Fortune, Osborne, Brady, Kilduff (Kavanagh, 82 ) Hughes.
Mervue United: O’Donoghue, O’Brien, E Browne, Elwood, Farrell; Lee (Huban, 84 ) Tierney (Ryan, 87 ), R Browne, Traynor, Keogh (Scally, 90 ); Goldbey.
Referee: S Grant (Wexford )
