Salthill Devon 0 - 0 Mervue United

The second Galway City derby of the season ended all square despite the best efforts of both sides at a very wet Drom on Friday night. Having created some great chances in both halves, Johnny Glynn’s Mervue side will feel  this was another two points dropped, as they found home keeper James Keane in outstanding form, while defender Colm Horgan cleared off the line twice in the opening half.

Keane produced the first of many fine saves after just six minutes touching Ryan Manning's shot away for a corner after the young striker met a Tom King cross that looked destined for the bottom corner.

On 17 minutes Mervue failed to clear a Derek O’Brien corner and the ball broke to Cian Fadden who lifted his effort just over the visitor’s crossbar. Horgan came to Salthill’s rescue six minutes later as he headed Marc Ludden’s goal bound shot away to safety after King had set up the chance pulling the ball back to Ludden on the penalty spot.

Keane then saved another Ludden strike seconds later as Mervue looked for an opening score, while the home keeper was in action again on 25 minutes saving a low Manning free-kick at his near post.

Mervue appealed for a penalty just past the half hour mark as Manning crashed to the ground under pressure from Jamie McGlynn following a Jason Molloy ball into the box but referee Kevin O’Regan waved play on.

Almost immediately Gary Curran and Molloy combined to set up King in the box but he dragged his shot wide of Keane’s post. An even better chance arrived two minutes later as Mervue poured forward with attacking play from King down the right and he cut the ball back to Curran who hit his effort straight into the arms of Keane from ten yards.

The visitors lost goalkeeper Brian O’Donoghue on 38 minutes as he ended up with concussion after a collision with Enda Curran as both chased a ball into the box. Connor Gleeson took over between the posts as O’Donoghue left the pitch to receive medical treatment.

A minute before the break fullback Horgan was on hand again to clear off the line for a second time as he blocked Stephen Walsh’s shot after the defender had got on the end of another King ball into the box. Enda Curran headed a Derek O’Brien corner over deep in stoppage time as the half ended without a goal and the rain stopping briefly.

Keane denied King again seven minutes after the break as he advanced to save with his legs after Noel Varley’s ball over the top had released the winger into the box. A good passing move involving Ludden and Molloy created a chance for Stephen Walsh but his effort was saved at the near post by Keane.

Manning shot wide after a good ball from strike partner Molloy before Derek O’Brien cut in from the left wing at the other end and unleashed a low drive which flashed past Gleeson’s far post as the home side threatened.

O’Brien picked up a pass from Craig Harding and forced a smart save from Gleeson at his near post at the expense of a corner on 68 minutes. Paul Sinnott then fired wide for Mervue and Ludden’s pass set King through on goal once again and as he tried to poke the ball past the advancing Keane but the keeper came out on top once again with a vital block.

That was to be King’s last action as he hobbled off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Brendan Lavelle. Four minutes from time former Mervue player Mike Collins headed a Brian Gaffney corner over, while Molloy had another chance blocked away for a corner as both sides looked to snatch a late winner in the now driving rain.

In the final minute sub Gary Shanahan played a lovely ball into the path of Molloy but he snatched at the chance sending it well over Keane’s crossbar, while O’Brien’s surging run into the box ended with Gleeson saving deep in stoppage time as the home side ended the game on the attack.

Salthill Devon: James Keane; Colm Horgan, Willie Enubele, Cian Fadden, Jamie McGlynn (Stephen Rudden 56); Brian Gaffney, Craig Harding, Mike Harty, Derek O’Brien; Jean Biansumba (Jason Murphy 78), Enda Curran (Mike Colllins 51).
Subs not used: Adam Hynes, Robbie Gaul.

Booked: None.

Mervue Utd: Brian O’Donoghue (Conor Gleeson 41); Joe Woods, Michael Elwood, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Tom King (Brendan Lavelle 76), Gary Curran, Noel Varley, Jason Molloy; Ryan Manning (Gary Shanahan 88), Paul Sinnott.
Subs not used: Michael McSweeney, Alex Lee, Kenny Farrell, Barry O’Mahoney.

Booked: None.

Referee: Kevin O’Regan (Kerry).

Attendance: 148

Extratime.ie Man of the Match – James Keane (Salthill Devon).