Mervue United -v- Athlone Town

• Terry Flaherty
• Thu, Jul 07 2011


Seventh play eighth in the Airtricity First Division at Fahy’s Field on Friday night as Mervue United host Athlone Town, a side they lead by a single point in the league table. (Kick-off, 7.45 pm)

This is a crucial game for both sides as a win for the home team would see them move four points clear of their midland rivals, while a win for Mike Kerley’s side would see them leapfrog the Galway side into seventh.

Both sides will come into the game having had contrasting results last Friday night. Mervue suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of high flying Limerick FC in a game they played extremely well in but failed to take their many good chances as two cracking strikes from the home side ensured they left Jackman Park empty handed.

Athlone on the other hand recorded their fifth win of the season over a struggling Wexford Youths side as two second half goals from Mark Sherlock and Jason Hughes saw them take all three points at home. Athlone have not been good on the road this season though, having won only one of their eight games on their travels and scoring just twice.

Johnny Glynn’s Mervue side are no doubt the most improved side in the league this season and their home record reads well with four wins and two draws from their eight games in Fahy’s Field this campaign. Their two defeats coming against league leaders Shelbourne and promotion rivals Limerick.

The big news for Mervue is that they will be without one of their best performers this campaign, Tom King, who injured his cruciate ligament last weekend. King, who has scored seven goals so far this season, will be a major loss to Johnny Glynn’s squad as he will now miss the rest of the campaign. Nicky Curran (knee) and Damien O’Rourke (achilles) continue to remain absent with injuries, while Dan Cunningham broke a bone is his hand in an accidental collision at training this week and will also miss out.

On a positive front Alex Lee, David Goldbey and Barry McEntee all return to the squad for Friday night’s game, while Glynn while also be hoping new signing Pat Hoban’s clearance is received from the FAI in time for tomorrow’s game. Goalkeeper Brian O’Donoghue is also re-signing for the club but won’t be available until next week.

Glynn was disappointed with last week’s result but not with his team’s performance. “I don’t know how we came away from Jackman Park without something as we played really well but a combination of good goalkeeping from Barry Ryan and poor finishing cost us dearly. We must turn that around on Friday night against a young and confident Athlone side who had a good result at home last Friday night so they will come here in good spirits. But we have performed well at home all season so hopefully that will continue on Friday night”.

Niall Scullion definitely unavailable for Athlone Town due to a troublesome ankle injury which resulted in him being replaced in the first half of last weeks game against Wexford Youths. He is receiving daily treatment in an effort to make the match day squad. A vomiting bug has also hit the squad with both Wayne Colbert and Brian Collopy both confined to bed throughout the week and rated less than 50/50 to be available for selection. Joe Woods, Bobby Tier, Tommy Barrett, Davy Ryan and Robbie Murray are all also unavailable for personal reasons.

Speaking after last week's game assistant manager Padraig Moran said: “The Longford and Shelbourne performances were quite good and it was important to perform against Wexford and now with confidence levels up we will be looking ahead to the Mervue game with three points the target. We’ve got to go there and have a go at them but they are playing good football under Johnny Glynn and it will be tough.”

Mervue Utd United:
Injured: Nicky Curran (knee), Damien O’Rourke (achilles), Tom King (cruciate), Dan Cunnigham (broken bone).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Athlone Town:
Injured: Niall Scullion.
Doubtful: Wayne Colbert and Brian Collopy.
Unavailable: Joe Woods, Bobby Tier, Tommy Barrett, Davy Ryan and Robbie Murray
Suspended: None.

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Galway).
Paddypower odds: Mervue Utd 10/11; Draw 9/4; Wexford Youths 11/4.
Extratime prediction: A 2-1 home win.