Salthill Devon 0 - 1 Mervue United

Mervue United won Friday’s local derby beating Salthill Devon at Drom 1-0 thanks to a Gary Shanahan first-half header.


The flame-haired winger rose highest at the back post to meet Ryan Manning’s delightful flick-on after half an hour and that sole goal was enough to keep the pressure on third-placed Longford Town who lost on the road to Waterford United tonight.


Salthill finished the game with ten men after striker Brian Geraghty was sent to the line after picking up two bookings within a 10 minute period in the second-half.


The visitors set the early pace and Manning’s s drive brought a double save from Salthill goalkeeper James Keane after only two minutes. Manning’s strike partner Michael Duffy was first to the rebound but Keane was equal to it.


A stop-start game from then on was masterfully commanded by Manning whose passing and technique caused Salthill problems at the back. As the half settled Devon began to come into it more but it always looked as if Johnny Glynn’s side would score first.


And on 30 minutes the visitors duly obliged. A long throw from Marc Ludden was met by Manning who sweetly flicked the ball to the far post from the edge of the area and Shanahan met it with his head to net from five yards out.


The second-half saw better fare all round and Salthill came out with a more attacking formation as Jumbo Brennan re-jigged his troops.


Mervue’s Stephen Walsh came closest to extending their lead from a short corner. Manning passed to the unmarked Jason Molloy who whipped the ball to the back post but central defender Walsh somehow headed high over the bar from six yards out.


The game became an open affair and neither team could dominate. But the red card changed all that. Geraghty received his first yellow for dissent and he was issued his second yellow on eight minutes later for a rash challenge on Jason Molloy. The game was now effectively over for the hosts.


Down to ten men, Salthill tried in vain to grab an equaliser but truth be told they lacked that necessary piece of quality in front of goal. They came close from a Brian Gaffney free-kick in the dying minutes, which Keane spilled, but Mervue triumphed and Glynn’s side host high-flying Waterford next week as the league run in reaches its crescendo.

Salthill Devon: James Keane; Shane O’Rourke (Conor Barry 46), Evan Preston-Kelly, Robbie Gaul, Colm Horgan; Oscar Sibanda, Ronan Conlon (Brian Gaffney 66), Timmy Molloy (Cian Fadden 83), Michael Harty, Craig Harding; Brian Geraghty.
Subs Not used: Andrew Walsh, Dan Cunningham, Danny Campion, Ryan Ludden.

Booked: Brian Geraghty (68).
Sent off: Brian Geraghty (76)

Mervue United: Ger Hanley; Tom King, Martin Conneely, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden (c); Gary Shanahan, Paul Sinnott, Noel Varley, Jason Molloy; Ryan Manning, Michael Duffy (Gary Curran 83).
Subs not used: Alex Lee, Gary Kelly, Ross Kenny, Brendan Lavelle, Barry O’Mahony, Konrad Kapusta.

Booked: King (45), Varley (89).

Referee: John McLoughlin.
Attendance: 100 (estimated)
Extratime.ie Man of the match: Ryan Manning (Mervue United).