Mervue United FC -v- Shelbourne FC
Credit:
The monkey is officially off the backs of First Division newcomers Mervue United, who recorded their inaugural victory against Monaghan United last week, but they face a far sterner assignment this weekend with a visit from Shelbourne (kick-off 7.45pm), who share pole position on the ladder with UCD.
First date
It has been a busy week for the Galway-based home side as this will be their third game in the space of seven days. A 2-1 victory at Monaghan last Friday was their first win since joining the division and manager Johnny Glynn spoke of the confidence boost it had given the club. However, Monday night proved a slight backward step when they were knocked out of the qualifying round of the EA Sports Cup by local rivals Salthill Devon, going down 3-2 on penalties. Shelbourne, meanwhile, look set to continue as one of the First Division heavyweights and will be looking to continue their unbeaten run this season in this trip to Terryland Park. It will be the first time these two sides have met.
Hot streak
Shelbourne are a side seemingly determined to get back to top-flight football and if their opening rounds this season are anything to go by, then 2010 could spell their return after three seasons in the First Division wilderness. They have conceded just one goal in their first four outings and join UCD on 12 points at the top of the table. However, manager Dermot Keely and his side will not be coming to Terryland expecting an easy time of it, with league results showing that Mervue are slowly beginning to find their feet at this higher level.
Due reward
A slightly jittery start to the season saw United record opening round losses to both Athlone Town and Limerick, however, from there, a 1-1 home draw with Finn Harps and last week's successful Monaghan trip has given Glynn and his squad renewed confidence that they can mix it with the First Division contingent. "It was a nice reward for some hard work," Glynn said of last week's win. "It gives us a bit of confidence going forward. But this will be a tough one for sure. [Shelbourne] are playing for promotion, but we've got nothing to lose."
Cup 'distraction'
Mervue's week did not begin in the best fashion following their defeat on Monday night up in Drom. Glynn made four changes to his side from Friday's win, but would still have been strong favourites going into the game against their fellow Galway side. The winner earned the right to take on Galway United in the first round of the EA Sports Cup, but Glynn was not lamenting the lost result at all. "It was more a distraction than anything else," Glynn said. "It didn't come at a great time for us at all. We rested a few, but I still thought we had a good enough side to win it."
Shels 'physical'
Scores were locked at two goals apiece at the end of regular time, went scoreless through extra-time and both were grievously inaccurate from the penalty spot with Salthill not slotting the eventual winner until the seventh round of penalties. Mervue will be desperate to regain their focus against a Shels side who are unlikely to give an inch. "They're a great physical side and I'll be taking that into account when picking the squad," Glynn said. This will be Shelbourne's first trip to Terryland Park since February 2006 when, then in the Premier Division, they defeated First Division Galway United 2-0 with late goals from Glenn Crowe and Jason Byrne in a pre-season fixture.
Team news
Shelbourne are strengthened by the return of David McGill from suspension, leaving them with a full squad to pick from. Richie Baker complained of a slight back injury in their last training session, but is expected to be available. Mervue are again without first choice goalkeeper Ryan Griffin, with Eoin Martin set to take the gloves, while Nicky Curran is again available for selection and striker David O'Dowd also comes back from suspension.
extratime.ie prediction: Shels are on a roll and should continue their winning ways. 0-2.
First date
It has been a busy week for the Galway-based home side as this will be their third game in the space of seven days. A 2-1 victory at Monaghan last Friday was their first win since joining the division and manager Johnny Glynn spoke of the confidence boost it had given the club. However, Monday night proved a slight backward step when they were knocked out of the qualifying round of the EA Sports Cup by local rivals Salthill Devon, going down 3-2 on penalties. Shelbourne, meanwhile, look set to continue as one of the First Division heavyweights and will be looking to continue their unbeaten run this season in this trip to Terryland Park. It will be the first time these two sides have met.
Hot streak
Shelbourne are a side seemingly determined to get back to top-flight football and if their opening rounds this season are anything to go by, then 2010 could spell their return after three seasons in the First Division wilderness. They have conceded just one goal in their first four outings and join UCD on 12 points at the top of the table. However, manager Dermot Keely and his side will not be coming to Terryland expecting an easy time of it, with league results showing that Mervue are slowly beginning to find their feet at this higher level.
Due reward
A slightly jittery start to the season saw United record opening round losses to both Athlone Town and Limerick, however, from there, a 1-1 home draw with Finn Harps and last week's successful Monaghan trip has given Glynn and his squad renewed confidence that they can mix it with the First Division contingent. "It was a nice reward for some hard work," Glynn said of last week's win. "It gives us a bit of confidence going forward. But this will be a tough one for sure. [Shelbourne] are playing for promotion, but we've got nothing to lose."
Cup 'distraction'
Mervue's week did not begin in the best fashion following their defeat on Monday night up in Drom. Glynn made four changes to his side from Friday's win, but would still have been strong favourites going into the game against their fellow Galway side. The winner earned the right to take on Galway United in the first round of the EA Sports Cup, but Glynn was not lamenting the lost result at all. "It was more a distraction than anything else," Glynn said. "It didn't come at a great time for us at all. We rested a few, but I still thought we had a good enough side to win it."
Shels 'physical'
Scores were locked at two goals apiece at the end of regular time, went scoreless through extra-time and both were grievously inaccurate from the penalty spot with Salthill not slotting the eventual winner until the seventh round of penalties. Mervue will be desperate to regain their focus against a Shels side who are unlikely to give an inch. "They're a great physical side and I'll be taking that into account when picking the squad," Glynn said. This will be Shelbourne's first trip to Terryland Park since February 2006 when, then in the Premier Division, they defeated First Division Galway United 2-0 with late goals from Glenn Crowe and Jason Byrne in a pre-season fixture.
Team news
Shelbourne are strengthened by the return of David McGill from suspension, leaving them with a full squad to pick from. Richie Baker complained of a slight back injury in their last training session, but is expected to be available. Mervue are again without first choice goalkeeper Ryan Griffin, with Eoin Martin set to take the gloves, while Nicky Curran is again available for selection and striker David O'Dowd also comes back from suspension.
extratime.ie prediction: Shels are on a roll and should continue their winning ways. 0-2.
