Sporting Fingal -v- Mervue United
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Sporting Fingal welcome Mervue United to Morton Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 7:45) needing a win to ensure they keep in touch with the top three. Having lost to Shelbourne, Fingal have bounced back with two wins scoring seven and conceding one. For Mervue, they have lost eight on the trot, but of late their losing margins have lessened. A credible 1-0 defeat to UCD and a late two goal concession to Waterford United has seen the Galway side recover from drubbings at the hands of Shelbourne, Monaghan United, Kildare and Longford Town.
Sporting manager Liam Buckley sees the return of club captain Shaun Maher, after spending the past four months sidelined with a foot injury.
“Shaun resumed training with us about a fortnight ago and it’s a huge boost to have a player with his experience and quality available for selection now,” said Buckley.
“On the back of the return of Stephen Paisley and Gary O’Neill in recent weeks from injuries, Shaun’s comeback signals almost the end of our lengthy injury list. Robbie Doyle is the only player still ruled out and his full recovery from a knee complaint is due by the end of August.”
Philip Byrne picked up a knee injury in training in midweek and the defender will undergo a fitness test on the knock before the Mervue game. Otherwise, Buckley’s squad have a clean bill of health.
Back-to-back wins over Longford Town and Limerick have ensured Fingal remain in the hunt for promotion and the manager is eager for his side to continue chasing the front three.
“We’ve hit a bit of form having won the last two matches, scoring seven goals and conceding just one in the process,” he admitted.
“Maintaining that level of performance from now until the end of the season is the key.
“It’s approaching the final third of the league campaign and it’s important we stay in touch with the front-runners with a view to making a challenge for the title sooner rather than later.”
In Mervue team news, John Glynn will be without Mike Tierney, Mixie Harty and Rynal Browne so he hopes to promote some of the under 20 squad to fill midfield positions. David O’Dowd is still out as he awaits a facial mask to cover his fractured cheek bone.
Glynn knows this will be a tough challenge against a very good side, but he is happen with preparations this week.
“Fingal are an excellent team who play attractive football and we will have to be at our very best to be able to take anything points from the game, but the players have worked hard all week and the focus is good.”
Extratime.ie Prediction: It’s hard to see anything other than a Sporting win. The margin, 3-0.
Sporting manager Liam Buckley sees the return of club captain Shaun Maher, after spending the past four months sidelined with a foot injury.
“Shaun resumed training with us about a fortnight ago and it’s a huge boost to have a player with his experience and quality available for selection now,” said Buckley.
“On the back of the return of Stephen Paisley and Gary O’Neill in recent weeks from injuries, Shaun’s comeback signals almost the end of our lengthy injury list. Robbie Doyle is the only player still ruled out and his full recovery from a knee complaint is due by the end of August.”
Philip Byrne picked up a knee injury in training in midweek and the defender will undergo a fitness test on the knock before the Mervue game. Otherwise, Buckley’s squad have a clean bill of health.
Back-to-back wins over Longford Town and Limerick have ensured Fingal remain in the hunt for promotion and the manager is eager for his side to continue chasing the front three.
“We’ve hit a bit of form having won the last two matches, scoring seven goals and conceding just one in the process,” he admitted.
“Maintaining that level of performance from now until the end of the season is the key.
“It’s approaching the final third of the league campaign and it’s important we stay in touch with the front-runners with a view to making a challenge for the title sooner rather than later.”
In Mervue team news, John Glynn will be without Mike Tierney, Mixie Harty and Rynal Browne so he hopes to promote some of the under 20 squad to fill midfield positions. David O’Dowd is still out as he awaits a facial mask to cover his fractured cheek bone.
Glynn knows this will be a tough challenge against a very good side, but he is happen with preparations this week.
“Fingal are an excellent team who play attractive football and we will have to be at our very best to be able to take anything points from the game, but the players have worked hard all week and the focus is good.”
Extratime.ie Prediction: It’s hard to see anything other than a Sporting win. The margin, 3-0.
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