Mervue United 2 - 1 Waterford United

Mervue United have beaten Waterford United for the first time at Fahy’s Field on a crisp evening in Galway - their fourth successive defeat of the Blues. The invaluable three points gained has kept the Galway side second on the league table.

Ryan Manning gave the home side the lead after five minutes with a headed effort after winger Gary Shanahan burst down the right and delivered a fine cross which the 16 year old slotted into the net.

Waterford’s Daragh Walsh had a glorious chance to equalise five minutes later. The big forward latched onto a superb through ball from Paudi Quinn but Walsh fluffed his effort straight at Mervue goalkeeper Conor Gleeson.

On 17 minutes Mervue midfielder Noel Varley should have put the home side two up. Manning found space down the left and delivered a pin-point cross to the unmarked Varley but the youngster could only head wide of the post. A real left off for Waterford.

Paul O’Brien’s side had the lion’s share of possession but were largely wasteful and lethargic in their passing.

Mervue’s Jason Molloy, who was deployed as a lone striker, saw his headed effort blocked away for a corner on the half hour mark. The second goal was coming, but Johnny Glynn's side were making hard work of it as the opening half concluded.

Waterford kicked on as the second period got underway and pressure was mounting from the away side. However, Mervue were happy to sit back and hit the opposition on the break when possible. 

On the hour mark Stephen Walsh nearly headed into his own net after Blues substitute Vinny Sullivan played in a dangerous cross. The defender headed straight at Gleeson who produced a fantastic reaction save to keep the score 1-0.

Despite Waterford putting pressure on the home side, O’Brien’s side could only create half chances here and there and frustration steadily increased.

It hit boiling point on 75 minutes when Daragh Walsh made a crunching tackle on Mervue stand-in captain Marc Ludden on the left wing. Walsh was shown a yellow card but in truth it should have been red.

Only two minutes later the striker went in heavy on his namesake Stephen Walsh but amazingly referee Adriano Reale kept the cards in his pocket. The Waterford Walsh was taken off soon after.

The game was fading when Paul Sinnott scored his first goal of the season in the 79th minute. Ludden crossed in from the right and Sinnott’s header was brilliantly saved onto the bar by Craig Hyland. However, Sinnott was first to the rebound and tapped in Mervue’s second of the night, and that was almost that.

As Waterford went for broke substitute Brendan Lavelle and Molloy combined well but the former failed to play in fellow sub Kenny Farrell as Blues defender Seamus Long blocked the pass. That surely would have been curtains for the away team.

The game effectively over but Waterford never gave up and Vinny Sullivan snatched a late goal just as the 90 minutes were up - cue four minutes of stoppage-time helter skelter.

The away side pilled whatever they could muster at Mervue but Johnny Glynn’s side comfortably held on to stay in contention for a promotion spot.

Mervue United: Conor Gleeson; Michael McSweeney, Michael Elwood, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan (B Lavelle 71’), Paul Sinnot, Gary Curran, Noel Varley (66’ Gary Kelly), Jason Molly, Ryan Manning, (82’ Kenny Farrell).
Subs not used: Alex Lee, Oscar Sinbanda, Joe Woods, Peter Healy.

Bookings: None.

Waterford United: Craig Hyland; Dylan Mernagh, David Breen, Seamus Long, John Frost; Peter Higgins (Vinny Sullivan 54’), Ben Ryan, Peter White, Michael Coady (86’ Kevin O’Connor); Paudie Quinn, Daragh Walshe (77’ Paul Quilty).
Subs not used: Conor Coad, Aidan McGrath, Francis Rocket, Chip Sanders.

Bookings: (39), Peter White (), Daragh Walsh (75).

Referee: Adriano Reale.

Attendance: 217

Extratime Man of the Match: Marc Ludden (Mervue United).