Mervue United -v- Salthill Devon

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue United return to Airtricity League action with a Galway derby game as city neighbours SD Galway will make the short trip across the Corrib to the familiar surrounds of Fahy’s Field on Friday night.

Johnny Glynn’s side will be looking to bounce back from a 3-1 away defeat to Waterford United prior to the three week mid-season break. They have though won their last two homes games at Fahy’s Field with back to back 3-0 wins over Finn Harps and Wexford.

Glynn’s side also hold the upper hand in recent Galway derby games having won three of the last five, the most recent a 2-0 win in the FAI Ford Cup second round in Eamonn Deacy Park at the end of May courtesy of second half goals from Pat Hoban and Etanda Nkololo, but those results will matter little on Friday night with both sides needing valuable league points.

Mervue injury list has eased considerably with only Kenny Farrell (ankle) and Michael McSweeney (hamstring) missing out on the derby game. Farrell requires surgery on his ankle, which will keep him out until September, while McSweeney will be out for another week after injuring his hamstring in Waterford. Martin Conneely has returned to training and will feature in Friday’s squad but Tom King is a doubt and will face a late fitness test.

Manager Glynn on Friday night’s game “It is good to be back after the break and we couldn’t have asked for a harder game, it being a local derby against our city rivals. The last time we met in the cup match four weeks ago we were fortunate to come out on top after they missed some great chances in the first half. We will have to play a lot better on Friday night if we are going take something from the game.”

SD GALWAY

Tony Mannion’s SD Galway side return to action still looking for that elusive first win of the season as they have found the going very tough in this campaign with only three points after thirteen games.

The break probably came at the right time for Mannion’s side as they produced their worst performance of the season as Finn Harps hit them for five in Eamonn Deacy Park in their last game. They will be looking to halt a run of seven straight defeats in all competitions on Friday night but what better game to do that than in a derby game, where there is much more than the important three points up for grabs.

Nicky Curran returns from an excessive nine match ban for this game after being sent off way back in early April in a 3-0 defeat away to Finn Harps. Both former Mervue players Eric Browne and Mike Harty serve one match bans so will watch this one from the sidelines.

Referee:  Keith Callanan (Cork)

MATCH STATS
This is only the second meeting of the sides at Fahy’s Field in the Airtricity League, the only previous game at the venue failed to produce a goal as goalkeeper Ronan Forde produced a man of the match display for Salthill saving two penalties last May. Forde will line out for Mervue on Friday night.

Since drawing 2-2 with Mervue on the 13^th April, SD Galway have failed to pick up a single point in series two having suffered defeat in all six league games since.

In the eight derby games to date since 2010 Mervue have the upper hand with four victories compared with SD Galway’s one win, while the sides have played out three draws.

BETTING

Mervue Utd 1/2, Draw 13/5, SD Galway 11/2.

PREDICTION

Home win 2-1.

Mervue United Injured: Kenny Farrell (ankle) and Michael McSweeney (hamstring)

Mervue United Doubtful: Tom King

Mervue United Suspended: None

SD Galway Injured: None

SD Galway Doubtful: None

SD Galway Suspended: Eric Browne and Mike Harty