Mervue United 0
SD Galway 0

Jason Byrne at Fahy’s Field

The final Airtricity league First Division game of the season pitted city rivals Mervue United with their old rivals SD Galway at Fahy’s Field on Friday night, and the clash unfortunately failed to provide the excitement of previous encounters.

Results a week beforehand meant that Tony Mannion’s side were condemned to bottom spot, and if they did have a chance of leapfrogging their cross-city neighbours, perhaps a more biting encounter would have ensued.

As always, the referee plays a key role in such showdowns and Dublin official Robert Harvey had a busy night – sending off Mervue’s Stephen Walsh after a half an hour of action for an off-the-ball elbow on Eugene Greaney.

Beforehand the only occurrence worth a mention was Enda Curran’s effort for SD Galway against his old club after a neat ball from Brian Gaffney which Ger Hanley safely held.

Up until Walsh’s dismissal, SD Galway had been the better side, moving the ball more efficiently and enjoying the greater possession, but they failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and Mervue began to gain a better feel of the game.

However it was typical end of season stuff – there was nothing to play for but at the same time both sides were fearful of any error that would give their all so familiar opponents the bragging rights.

Thankfully the 256 that turned up to witness the season draw to a close were treated to a slightly better second half – Pat Hoban heading inches wide for the hosts early on following Jason Molloy’s corner.

Alan Murphy was at the centre of much of Mervue’s play as was top scorer Hoban, but at the other end SD launched a neat counter when Mixie Harty fed Gaffney who squared to the waiting Jakub Tomanica who let fly but his curling effort was parried wide by Hanley.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.