Mervue United -v- Athlone Town
Credit:
Having stopped a sequence of eight defeats on the bounce last weekend Mervue begin their third and final series of league games were all began back in March, with a home tie against Athlone Town on Saturday night (kick-off 7 p.m.).
Athlone spoiled the party that night defeating a very nervous looking home side 1-0 on the night thanks to an early Noel McGee goal on what an historic night for the Galway team. A lot has happened since then with both in the bottom half of the table after 22 games and just three points separating them. A 2-2 draw was the outcome when the two sides met in Lissywoollen at the end of May when a very late Mark Ludden header secured a share of the spoils for Mervue.
Ironically both teams have failed to win in their last nine games, although Athlone have drawn four of those games, with their last win coming away to Kildare County (2-1) in mid June. Mervue’s last win was registered at the end of May when they defeated Limerick FC 2-1 in Terryland on a lovely summers night (remember them!!!).
The teams had contrasting fortunes last week as Athlone lost 2-1 to ten men Sporting Fingal a game that was watched by Mervue manager Johnny Glynn who was sitting in the stand. While Glynn’s side put in a battling performance after being reduced to ten men to play out a 0-0 draw (their first of the season) with Wexford Youths and could have won with some late chances squandered. Though Mervue have been struggling in front of goals with just three goals in their last ten games and two of those have come from winger Rory Gaffney.
Brendan Place will have to select his squad without Mick Byrne (knee), Athony Hayes (torn quad) and Kevin Williamson (ankle ligaments) while full back Robbie Hamm sits this game out as he serves a one match suspension for yellow cards received. On the plus side the teams leading goalscorer Noel McGee returns after serving a one match suspension last week against Sporting Fingal.
Speaking to Brendan Place about this weekend’s game and the remainder of the season he said “We are back to where we began on the opening night where a Noel McGee goal set our season on its way and we are hoping for much of the same this weekend. I think our squad has vastly improved since then and I am confident of having a very good final third of the season.”
Glynn meanwhile will be without the suspended Neil Keane who received his marching orders last week while both Rynal Browne and Mixie Harty are still not fit enough following recent injuries. Both Pat Hoban and Kevin Barrett are also unavailable due to holidays. On a positive note David O’Dowd could feature as he has been given the all clear from his specialist this week after recovering from a fractured cheekbone picked up in that win over Limerick in May.
Glynn will be hoping his young team can get back to winning ways against a side just three points above them saying “Athlone will represent another big challenge for us and if we can get everything right on the night we have a chance”. “Young Pat Hoban will be a loss to us as he has been playing well recently but David O’Dowd available again is a good plus”.
Extratime.ie Prediction: A tight game to call with not much winning form for either, a 1-1 draw.
Athlone spoiled the party that night defeating a very nervous looking home side 1-0 on the night thanks to an early Noel McGee goal on what an historic night for the Galway team. A lot has happened since then with both in the bottom half of the table after 22 games and just three points separating them. A 2-2 draw was the outcome when the two sides met in Lissywoollen at the end of May when a very late Mark Ludden header secured a share of the spoils for Mervue.
Ironically both teams have failed to win in their last nine games, although Athlone have drawn four of those games, with their last win coming away to Kildare County (2-1) in mid June. Mervue’s last win was registered at the end of May when they defeated Limerick FC 2-1 in Terryland on a lovely summers night (remember them!!!).
The teams had contrasting fortunes last week as Athlone lost 2-1 to ten men Sporting Fingal a game that was watched by Mervue manager Johnny Glynn who was sitting in the stand. While Glynn’s side put in a battling performance after being reduced to ten men to play out a 0-0 draw (their first of the season) with Wexford Youths and could have won with some late chances squandered. Though Mervue have been struggling in front of goals with just three goals in their last ten games and two of those have come from winger Rory Gaffney.
Brendan Place will have to select his squad without Mick Byrne (knee), Athony Hayes (torn quad) and Kevin Williamson (ankle ligaments) while full back Robbie Hamm sits this game out as he serves a one match suspension for yellow cards received. On the plus side the teams leading goalscorer Noel McGee returns after serving a one match suspension last week against Sporting Fingal.
Speaking to Brendan Place about this weekend’s game and the remainder of the season he said “We are back to where we began on the opening night where a Noel McGee goal set our season on its way and we are hoping for much of the same this weekend. I think our squad has vastly improved since then and I am confident of having a very good final third of the season.”
Glynn meanwhile will be without the suspended Neil Keane who received his marching orders last week while both Rynal Browne and Mixie Harty are still not fit enough following recent injuries. Both Pat Hoban and Kevin Barrett are also unavailable due to holidays. On a positive note David O’Dowd could feature as he has been given the all clear from his specialist this week after recovering from a fractured cheekbone picked up in that win over Limerick in May.
Glynn will be hoping his young team can get back to winning ways against a side just three points above them saying “Athlone will represent another big challenge for us and if we can get everything right on the night we have a chance”. “Young Pat Hoban will be a loss to us as he has been playing well recently but David O’Dowd available again is a good plus”.
Extratime.ie Prediction: A tight game to call with not much winning form for either, a 1-1 draw.
About Terry Flaherty
Terry has been writing for Extratime since 2009 and is based out west in Galway covering Mervue United, Salthill Devon, and now this season the newly formed, Galway FC. Terry has written articles for many … View Full Profile