Mervue United -v- Salthill Devon

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue United host Salthill Devon at Fahy’s Field in derby number three of the season at the earlier kick-off time of 5pm on Saturday.

Johnny Glynn’s team has not played at home since the 1-0 win over Cobh Ramblers on one of the hottest days of the year in early June.

Since then however, the hosts’ form has slumped having lost consecutive away matches to Wexford Youths and Athlone Town on resumption of the league. Goals had already been scare on the road for Mervue during the first-half of the season and that trend has regrettably continued.

Mervue are missing a number of first team regulars for this crucial derby as Martin Conneely and Stephen Walsh both serve suspensions while club captain Tom King and Barry O’Mahony are both in Russia representing Ireland with the Irish Universities team at the World University Games in Kazan.

Glynn is wary of an in-from Salthill side and expects a tough challenge on Saturday afternoon.

“Like all city derby games to date we can expect another tough, close affair with our neighbours Salthill Devon who come into the game in good form so it is another tough challenge but the lads are very much looking forward to the game.”

SALTHILL DEVON

Back in March Devon came to Fahy’s Field on the back of a 5-0 hammering by Longford Town and, during the opening 15 minutes against Mervue, it was easy to see why the league leaders enjoyed such free-scoring reign the week before.

Glynn’s team were two to the good within 13 minutes and there was an uneasy feeling around the ground Salthill would crumble to another heavy defeat.

That night however, Salthill proved that with two determined men at the helm, manager Tony Mannion and coach Jumbo Brennan, they were capable of beating anyone. And, while it took several months to claim their maiden win of the season, Devon are now undefeated in their last two league matches.

With wins over Finn Harps and Cobh and a draw at home to Longford, Devon are the in-form team coming into Saturday’s game. The visitors are more than capable of coming away from east Galway city venue with maximum points.

Coach Jumbo Brennan has been happy with the player’s reaction in the past few weeks but has admitted the transfer window has unsettled some of his players.

"The transfer window is open of course and a number of clubs having been casting an eye over a few of the players at the club - which can be a bit unsettling, but the lads have handled it well"

Referee: John McLoughlin

MATCH STATS

Salthill’s Enda Curran has eight goals so far this season, half his teams tally

Mervue averages two goals scored per game at home.

This is meeting number five at Fahy’s Field between the sides and its even Stevens; two scoreless draws, a home win and away win.

BETTING

Mevue united 7/10; Draw  12/5; Salthill Devon 7/2

PREDICTION

Mervue United 1- 1 Salthill Devon

Mervue United

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Martin Conneely and Stephen Walsh.

Unavailable: Tom King and Barry O’Mahony

Salthill Devon

Injured: Brian Geraghty

Doubtful: James Keane, Tim Molloy

Suspended: None