Mervue United -v- Monaghan United

Monaghan United become the last of the four sides fighting out the promotion battle to visit Fahy’s Field with Mervue United having already entertain Cork City, Shelbourne and Limerick over the past month at the Galway venue. Kick-off is 7.45 p.m.

Roddy Collins players will remember that it was Mervue who ended their promotion hopes last season with a 2-1 win that also ensured the Galway side’s place in the First Division. Mervue have been somewhat of a bogey side for Monaghan as they have also registered two victories over Collins’s side already this term as well, which means they have won the last three meetings between the teams.

If Monaghan are to remain in the promotion race they will need to rectify that stat on Friday night but as all teams have discovered this season, Glynn’s team are hard to beat at home. Monaghan go into the game in excellent form having won eight of their nine league games since their 2-1 defeat at home to Mervue in mid July. The Galway side had earlier ran out rather comfortable 3-1 winners at Fahy’s Field in April inflicting a first defeat on Collins’s side courtesy of two Jason Molloy goals and another from the now departed Eric Browne.

Glynn will be hoping his side can bounce back from their disappointing display against Athlone Town last weekend, their worst performance of the campaign. He will be without some key experienced players for this week’s clash as Damien O’Rourke has been ruled out for the remaining games with a re-occurrence of his Achilles injury, while captain Martin Conneely will also be an absentee with tonsillitis. Peter Dravins is also doubtful having picked up an injury in a college game and fellow striker David Goldbey is ruled out through suspension for reaching four yellow cards.

Collins on the other hand has a strong squad to choose from as brothers Ryan and Sean Brennan, who have scored a lot of crucial goals between them, both return from suspension following their sending offs against Cork City, the club’s only lost in that nine game run. Defender Shane Grimes does miss out though as he serves a suspension for reaching four yellow cards and Conor McMahon continues to remain side-lined with injury.

Mervue manager Glynn on Friday’s game “We need to bounce back from last week’s poor performance which was probably our worst display of the season as we defended poorly and gave Athlone the first three goals. Monaghan are going to be another tough game as they will come to Fahy’s Field having to win the game to ensure they remain in the promotion race so we will have to be well prepared for the game. We have beaten them twice this season, so we have a good record against them and will be looking to build on that on Friday night”.

Monaghan boss Collins commented ahead of the game “With only three games left there is a great sense of anticipation in the squad. They are taking nothing for granted, the lads that were in the panel last season remember how it ended so there is a determination to win all  remaining games, our fate is largely in our own hands. I still believe that the destination of the Championship will go down to the last day of the season”

Mervue United

Injured: Damien O’Rourke (Achilles) and Martin Conneely (tonsillitis)

Doubtful: Peter Dravins

Suspended: David Goldbey

Monaghan Utd

Injured: Conor McMahon

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Shane Grimes

Referee: Darren Coombes (Kildare)

Paddy Power Odds: Mervue Utd 7/1 Draw 7/2 Monaghan Utd 3/10

Extratime prediction: A 2-1 away win.