Mervue United 0 - 1 Galway United

Mervue United’s preparations for life in the League of Ireland First Division began with a defeat at the hands of local rivals Galway United tonight(Tuesday) at Fahy’s Field. A competitive encounter was settled in United’s favour thanks to Jay O’Shea’s composed first half finish

Both managers will take positives from this game but there are also worrying issues for both to address. Galway United had solid performances at the back from triallists Shane Guthrie and ex-Waterford United man David Breen, while Jay O’Shea showed glimpses of the class which seemed set to earn him a move to Derby only weeks ago

Mervue battled hard and were never completely outclassed. David O’Brien put in a tireless shift and used the ball intelligently from right back and their ploy of crowding the midfield denied their opponents space to utilise the pace of Jason Molloy and O’Shea in the first half

But both sides have a lot of work to do. United are lacking both experience and quality in key positions and Ian Foster will be hoping to add a few new faces to the current squad in the coming weeks. A defensive midfielder is a priority, as well as a tall, physical striker to give them options going forward

Mervue have similar worries in attack. With David Goldbey isolated at the tip of a 4-5-1 formation, the home side failed to elicit any meaningful effort from stand-in Galway ‘keeper Liam Grant. Ollie Keogh is already ruled out through injury so there is a worry of where the goals are going to come from

By the time O’Shea’s goal arrived in the 35th minute, United had already equalled the number of shots on target they managed throughout Saturday’s bore draw with Limerick. Derek O’Brien cut in from his station on the left flank and tested Ryan Griffin early on, before O’Shea, resplendent in his illuminous green boots, combined with Molloy before stinging Griffin’s hands from 20 yards

The goal came moments after Mervue had cleared their lines from an Alan Murphy free kick. The ball ran back to United ‘keeper Grant who hacked clear and Shane Guthrie, as he cantered back to his defensive post, flicked the ball on in midfield for O’Shea to dart in behind the cover. O’Shea was coolness personified in beating Griffin with a low shot to the corner

Vinny Faherty was introduced at the break and was denied a goal by a good one-handed save from the Mervue ‘keeper seven minutes into the second half, while the competitive nature of the contest was typified by the bookings of Jay O’Shea and Mervue’s terrier-like midfielder Rynal Browne, who clashed on the hour mark

Barry Moran curled a shot wide as the game petered out but neither side looked convincing in front of goal. After the final whistle, Mervue United chairman and local councillor Declan McDonnell announced that Mervue were hoping to get their fixtures arranged for Friday nights, which would mean the two clubs would have to be accommodated by the FAI as one would have to be away while the other played in Terryland

However, this situation would not be a long-term arrangement, as McDonnell also announced that the club hoped to be playing their home games in Fahy’s Field by the end of July

Mervue United: Ryan Griffin; David O’Brien (Peadar Seoighe, 71), Eric Browne, Nicky Curran, Kenny Farrell; Alex Lee (Darwin Dowling, 51), Mike Tierney (Shane Maher, 61), Gary Traynor (Ian Snee, 68), Rynal Browne (Noel McDonnell, 80), Rory Gaffney (Kevin Barrett, 61); David Goldbey (Pat Hoban, 80)

Galway United: Liam Grant; Paul Sinnott, David Breen, Shane Guthrie (Niall Walsh, 46), James Minogue (Iarfhlaith Davoren, 46); Alan Murphy, Cian McBrien (Levi Tierney, 61), Jonathan Keane (Barry Moran, 46), Derek O’Brien (Dave O’Dowd, 61); Jay O’Shea, Jason Molloy (Vinny Faherty, 46)

Referee: Mark Gough.

Attendance: 180.