Mervue United -v- Sporting Fingal
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It has been a tough couple of weeks for Mervue United and their plight is not expected to get any easier when they host third-placed Sporting Fingal at Terryland Park on Friday night.
Recent history
League favourites Fingal gave up second spot on the table after they faltered with a draw against Limerick last Friday night. They bounced back almost instantaneously, winning through to the quarter finals of the EA Sports Cup by defeating top flight team Drogheda United 2-0 on Monday night and will be heavily favoured for Friday's match. Mervue has literally been forced to run the gauntlet over the last few weeks, having to play each of the competition's top three teams consecutively. They lost 2-1 to UCD at home a fortnight ago, before going down to Waterford United 2-0 last Saturday, a result which allowed Waterford to leap over Fingal into second place.
Thinking time
The conclusion of Friday's game will be a chance to reflect for Mervue manager Johnny Glynn and his squad, having concluded the first round of their foray into the first division.
"It's a good time to reassess," Glynn said. "It was difficult to assess teams until we'd actually played them."
Glynn agreed the team had now begun to settle into life in the higher grade although there was still plenty of room to grow.
"The first couple of weeks were definitely a learning curve," Glynn said. "We'll be improving throughout the season. I'm sure it'll come to a stage where it will level off. When we're full strength, and we haven't been all season, I look forward to if it happens. So far the lads are enjoying it and Mark (Herrick) and I are enjoying it."
Despite being hot favourites, Fingal manager Liam Buckley was holding the league newcomers in high regard.
“I’ve been impressed with league newcomers Mervue to date. They have won a few games recently and almost took something from leaders UCD only for a late winner to deprive them a point.”
Team News
Fingal manager will go into Friday's match without the services of three key players - Stephen Paisley, Shaun Maher and Gary O’Neill. O’Neill continues to battle a groin strain, Paisley is out for at least three weeks with an ankle injury while club captain Maher is nursing a foot ailment. Hamstring victims Lorcan Fitzgerald and Daniel Corcoran - and Shane McFaul (ankle) - are also in doubt.
"The injury list is lengthening,” Buckley said. “In saying that, their replacements have made the most of the situation and I was delighted with how we performed in the two games against Limerick and Drogheda United over the Bank Holiday weekend."
Injuries also continue to plague the home side with centre half Damian O Rourke being added to the list after hurting his achillies in their last outing, Glynn rating him as 'touch and go' as to whether he will take part. Nigel Keady, Ger McGrath and goalkeeper Ryan Griffin are also likely to be out, while Noel McDonnell trained this week, but was in some pain and not certain to be fit. Under 17 player Paul Scally has been called into the squad.
Recent history
League favourites Fingal gave up second spot on the table after they faltered with a draw against Limerick last Friday night. They bounced back almost instantaneously, winning through to the quarter finals of the EA Sports Cup by defeating top flight team Drogheda United 2-0 on Monday night and will be heavily favoured for Friday's match. Mervue has literally been forced to run the gauntlet over the last few weeks, having to play each of the competition's top three teams consecutively. They lost 2-1 to UCD at home a fortnight ago, before going down to Waterford United 2-0 last Saturday, a result which allowed Waterford to leap over Fingal into second place.
Thinking time
The conclusion of Friday's game will be a chance to reflect for Mervue manager Johnny Glynn and his squad, having concluded the first round of their foray into the first division.
"It's a good time to reassess," Glynn said. "It was difficult to assess teams until we'd actually played them."
Glynn agreed the team had now begun to settle into life in the higher grade although there was still plenty of room to grow.
"The first couple of weeks were definitely a learning curve," Glynn said. "We'll be improving throughout the season. I'm sure it'll come to a stage where it will level off. When we're full strength, and we haven't been all season, I look forward to if it happens. So far the lads are enjoying it and Mark (Herrick) and I are enjoying it."
Despite being hot favourites, Fingal manager Liam Buckley was holding the league newcomers in high regard.
“I’ve been impressed with league newcomers Mervue to date. They have won a few games recently and almost took something from leaders UCD only for a late winner to deprive them a point.”
Team News
Fingal manager will go into Friday's match without the services of three key players - Stephen Paisley, Shaun Maher and Gary O’Neill. O’Neill continues to battle a groin strain, Paisley is out for at least three weeks with an ankle injury while club captain Maher is nursing a foot ailment. Hamstring victims Lorcan Fitzgerald and Daniel Corcoran - and Shane McFaul (ankle) - are also in doubt.
"The injury list is lengthening,” Buckley said. “In saying that, their replacements have made the most of the situation and I was delighted with how we performed in the two games against Limerick and Drogheda United over the Bank Holiday weekend."
Injuries also continue to plague the home side with centre half Damian O Rourke being added to the list after hurting his achillies in their last outing, Glynn rating him as 'touch and go' as to whether he will take part. Nigel Keady, Ger McGrath and goalkeeper Ryan Griffin are also likely to be out, while Noel McDonnell trained this week, but was in some pain and not certain to be fit. Under 17 player Paul Scally has been called into the squad.
