Athlone Town - v- Mervue United

Athlone Town play hosts to Mervue United in an end of season game that could ultimately decide whether either side can claim a top six finish with the games now running out as we enter the last four games of the season. (Kick-off is at 7.30 p.m)

Athlone let a lead slip three times last week as they eventually shared the points with Wexford Youths in Ferrycarrig Park as the home side battled back to secure an injury time 3-3 draw. Mervue on the other hand suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to promotion chasing Limerick FC as a late Peter Hynes header denied them a share of the points at Fahy’s Field.

Mike Kerley’s side hold a strong upper hand in the side’s two meetings already this season as they claimed victory in both. An early season 1-0 win at home courtesy of a Niall Scullion goal and a 2-1 win courtesy of two Noel McGee goals at Fahy’s Field will see them trying to complete a clean sweep of wins over the Galway side on Saturday evening.

Johnny Glynn’s side will travel to Lissywollen quietly confident having put up excellent displays albeit in defeat against the Division’s tops sides, Shelbourne, Cork City and Limerick in the month of September, while also defeating Wexford 3-0.

Athlone will be without their top goalscorer for this one as Noel McGee serves a suspension and former Mervue player Paul Danaher also misses out through suspension having seen red against Shelbourne recently. Both goalkeeper Brian Collopy (shoulder) and Niall Scullion (ankle) will also miss out with long term injuries.

Glynn will look to the same squad that almost denied Limerick their vital win at Fahy’s Field last week with only Damien O’Rourke a doubt with a re-occurrence of his achilles injury which has curtailed his season. Dan Cunningham could return to the squad having returned to training during the week following hand and thigh injuries which have kept him on the sidelines since July. Long term injuries continue to rule out Tom King (knee), Mike Collins (ankle) and TJ Forde (cruciate).

Manager Johnny Glynn on Friday’s game “Athlone have done well this season considering how late Mike Kerley was appointed before the season started and they have been a bogey side for us this season having defeated us in both meetings but we will have to win on Saturday to show we are a better side. It will be a tough game as there has never been much between us to date but we will go there looking to win and secure a vital three points if we are to finish in the top half of the table, which is our focus”.

Games between these two sides have always seen close affairs with only one game between the sides over the last couple of seasons ending with a margin of more than one goal so another tight contest in store. Even the bookies cannot separate the sides!

Athlone Town

Injured: Brian Collopy (shoulder) and Niall Scullion (ankle)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Noel McGee and Paul Danaher.

Mervue United :

Injured: Tom King (cruciate), Mike Collins (ankle), TJ Forde (cruciate).

Doubtful: Damien O’Rourke (Achilles)

Suspended: None.

Referee: Adriano Reale (Kildare)

Paddy Power Odds: Athlone Town 6/4 Draw 9/4 Mervue Utd 6/4

Extratime prediction: A 2-1 away win.