MERVUE United will look to bounce back from their disappointing home defeat to local rivals SD Galway when they host current Airtricity First Division League leaders Longford Town at Fahy's Field tonight Friday (7:45pm)

When these two sides met in the opening game of the season back in early March, Longford left Galway with a narrow 1-0 win courtesy of a late Gary Shaw headed goal. They also won the away fixture 4-2 in Flancare Park in April, with Pat Hoban netting Mervue’s two second-half goals on that occasion after the home side had raced into a 4-0 lead by the break.

For this one, Mervue manager Johnny Glynn will be without Kenny Farrell (ankle) and Michael McSweeney (hamstring) but he is hopeful that Alan Murphy, who was a late withdrawal from last week’s derby game, will have recovered from an ankle injury to play in this evening’s outing.

In truth, though, Mervue must be hurting after failing to take anything from last weekend’s local derby and boss Glynn conceded as much in the inevitable post-match deliberations.

“Last week’s result was very disappointing considering we created so many chances but just weren’t clinical enough with our finishing,” he said.

“We couldn’t ask for a harder game to bounce back with Longford this week. They are having a great season and sit top of the table and with the good squad Tony Cousins has assembled there, they are now one of the favourites to go up [to the Premier League].”

Meanwhile, SD Galway travel to Athlone Town this evening (7:45pm), no doubt humming after that 2-1 win over Mervue last Friday. Coincidentally, that was SD Galway’s first victory of the season.

That win was secured in the most dramatic of fashions. Down to a Pat Hoban goal early in the second half, Tony Mannion’s outfit battled hard and duly secured the equaliser through Eugene Greaney on 70 minutes before Timmy Molloy struck for a striking winner just one minute from time.

That first victory in 14 games should instil some confidence in SD Galway heading to Athlone this evening, particularly as Town have lost almost as many as they have won in the first two series of games – winning seven, losing six, drawing the other.

However, it must also be noted that two of Athlone Town’s victories came against SD Galway, winning their opening game of the season 2-1 at home to Mannion’s side before securing a 1-0 result in the return fixture to Terryland Park in April.