STEPHEN GLENNON

MERVUE United can’t just seem to catch a break these days. In the last two Airtricity League games they have played, 14 goals have been scored, with Mervue – having held a commanding three-goal lead in one of those ties – losing by a single score on each occasion.
 

This evening (Friday), Mervue host title chasing Limerick FC at Fahy’s Field (kick-off 7:45pm) and manager Johnny Glynn will hope that if a result is there to be had, the team will show some measure of backbone in closing it out.

Certainly, the concession of a three-goal lead against league leaders Longford Town a fortnight ago was unforgivable – more so given the Galway outfit lost that game 5-4. Last weekend, an Alan Murphy double saw them gain parity, 2-2, with Finn Harps before Paul McVeigh struck for the home side midway through the second period to deny Mervue a result.

“It was disappointing,” acknowledges Glynn, “because we came back well after going two goals down. So, we had come back into it and I thought we at least deserved a draw on the night. We have to be a bit tighter at the back though; we are conceding way too many goals.”

With a promotion chasing Limerick outfit, which lost 2-1 away to Waterford United last weekend, coming to Fahy’s Field this evening, the Mervue boss says it’s another “tough one” for the First Division strugglers.

That said, given his side have netted six goals in two games, they should be good enough to have a cut at this one. The relevant question is, though, if they do get a score on the board early, have Mervue the wherewithal to close the game out?

“We can approach the Limerick game with some optimism,” says Glynn. “I know Limerick are expected to win and it is a big challenge for us, but our lads seem to respond well to the big challenges. I expect it to be no less so on Friday evening.”

For this one, Jason Molloy and Tom King are both suspended while goalkeeper Ronan Forde (fractured finger) and Kenny Farrell (ankle) are still on the treatment table. On a more positive note, Patrick Hoban and Michael McSweeney return from suspension and injury respectively.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.