Mervue United -v- Salthill Devon

MERVUE UNITED

Johnny Glynn’s side has started the brighter of the two clubs with a well-earned away point at Athlone Town last Saturday. That scoreless draw saw United hand four player’s their league debuts which included 17 year old striker, Ryan Manning, who has scored seven hat-tricks at youth and Under-19 level so far this season. New club signings Joe Woods, Gary Curran and Brendan Lavelle all impressed in their first outing in the claret and blue of Mervue.

Glynn has all but one player available for selection for Friday’s game as defender Stephen Walsh is still suspended following his sending off against Salthill on the final day of last season.

Speaking to the clubs website the former Galway United captain was proud of his team’s performance last weekend and, was expecting a stern test from their city rivals.

“Last week's result in Athlone was hard earned with a good display on a difficult night and we also had four players making their league debuts for the club, so I was happy with the performance.

This week we need to build on that point gained as we face our local rivals in the first of four city derby games this season. There has never been much between both sides in previous games so I expect the same again on Friday night”.

SALTHILL DEVON

Salthill will be looking to vastly improve on their first outing of the season when Longford Town put five past Tony Mannion’s side without reply at Drom last Friday night.

Suspensions really crippled Salthill’s team last week and there was annoyance among the locals at the carryover of yellow cards, accumulated from last season, which denied Mannion four of his first team regulars.

Thankfully for Mannion and the club’s supporters, Salthill welcome back Enda Curran, Willie Enubele and Mixie Harty in time for the first of four local derby’s against Mervue this season. Brian Geraghty though, has still to serve one more match of his suspension.

However, the positive team news has quickly turned sour with the confusion over when Derek O’Brien and Graham Kelly can line out for Salthill. Both players are former professionals and it seems technical hitches and red tape are temporarily preventing them from adding their experience to Tony Mannion’s young team.

When O’Brien and Kelly finally do appear in a Salthill jersey, their years of toiling away in league of Ireland football could be telling for the basement boys.

Referee: Simon Rogers

MATCH STATS

Mervue United finished only three points ahead of SD Galway at the foot of the table last season.

Mervue has the edge with five wins in previous meeting s between the teams. Salthill Devon has three wins and there have been three draws.

This is only the fourth meeting of the sides at Fahy’s Field. Two scoreless draws and an away win for Salthill make up previous results at the east city venue.

BETTING

Mervue 4/9, draw 11/4, SD Galway 6/1.

PREDICTION

Mervue United 1-0 Salthill Devon

Mervue Untied

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Stephen Walsh, Michael James.

Salthill Devon

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Brian Geraghty.