Mervue United -v- Longford Town

MERVUE UNITED

Tonight’s opening leg of the Airtricity League First Division Promotion Play-off at Fahy’s Field between hosts Mervue United and visitors Longford Town was not the likely tie many had in mind but a few weeks ago.

Waterford United was in pole position to land at least one of the playoff spots but sport can be downright cruel at times. Johnny Glynn’s Mervue put together six successive wins to audaciously land a playoff spot as The Blues succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Cobh Ramblers on the last day of the season.

A little under two months ago, it seemed the Galway side were out of contention but Glynn and his men unleashed a flurry of results scoring eleven goals and conceding only once on their way to securing tonight’s playoff spot.

Last weekend’s dramatic conclusion to the league saw Mervue ease past Wexford Youths 4-1 at Ferrycarraig Park. Two goals from Gary Shanahan and one each for Stephen Walsh and Tom King gave the claret and blue the win they needed. Cobh holding on to overcome Waterford meant the Galway side would take the final playoff spot on offer.

In team news, defender Martin Conneely is a doubt but Jason Molloy returns from suspension to an otherwise fully fit squad.

Glynn is fully aware the pre-season league favorites will be no pushover over 180 minutes of football even though tonight’s hosts have had the better of Longford this season.

“We had to do it the hard way to qualify for the play-off winning our last six games to get into this position, so we are in good form going into the game. We are looking forward to the game but we will have to continue that recent good form if we are to overcome Longford.

They will provide a real tough challenge over the two games as they were favorites to win the division at the start of the season and will be firm favorites going into Friday’s game.”

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town kicked off their season with a bang hammering Salthill Devon 5-0 at Drom with an unknown David O’Sullivan bagging a hat-trick. The pre-season favorites for the First Division title had set an early marker.

The Town would go on a rampage in the coming weeks, losing only twice in fourteen league games with the free-scoring O’Sullivan netting on average once per game. Manager Tony Cousins seemed to have the easiest task in the world and simply had to guide his troops to the First Division title.

Around the mid-season mark however, Longford’s form became erratic and the team seemed to suffer from a lack of confidence as a consequence. Conceding last minute goals became an all too common occurrence and the Midlands club slipped down the table as others around them found form.

Last weekend Cousins’ side had to travel to champions Athlone Town in the Midlands derby looking for a win to claim a playoff spot. Ex-Salthill player Enda Curran gave the home side the lead after ten minutes but two goals before half-time was enough to see Longford finish second on the table.

In team news Cousins has an injury list as long as his arm to contend with. Jamie Mulhall, Willo McDonagh, Willie Tyrrell, Michael Lee, Mark Salmon, Keith Gillespie, Etanda Nkololo are all out with injuries while David O’Neil is suspended. Corie Tracey returns from a two match suspension.

A tight affair is expected at the east Galway city venue tonight with inclement weather potentially hampering the quality of the football on show.

Referee: K Callanan

MATCH STATS

Mervue leads in the head-to-head stakes this season with two wins to Town’s one.

Longford’s David O’Sullivan has scored 21 goals in his first season in League of Ireland football.

Johnny Glynn’s team have scored eleven and conceded only one goal in their last six games.

BETTING

Mervue United 11/10; Draw 23/10; Longford Town 21/10

PREDICTION

Mervue united 2-1 Longford Town

Mervue United

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Martin Conneely.
Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Jamie Mulhall, Willo McDonagh, Willie Tyrrell, Michael Lee, Mark Salmon, Keith Gillespie, Etanda Nkololo.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: David O’Neil.