Mervue lose again as Devon maintain recent good form

The continued resurrection of Salthill Devon and the capitulation of Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division leaders Mervue United for the second week in succession were the main focus points following the weekend action.

Although at opposite ends of the table, the two went head to head in Drom on Sunday morning and it was Devon who snuck a late winner through Dave Meehan as the relegation-threatened side registered a third win on the trot.

It was quite an achievement by the managerless home side - who lost Robert Forde during the week as he resigned following some issues, including a difference of opinion on team selection - and the win moves them to within a point of East United and Oranmore, just above them in the table.

In the only other Premier game played, a Keith Ward goal was enough to give second placed Hibernians a 1-0 home win over Athenry. They now trail Mervue by 11 points, but enjoy two games in hand.

Salthill Devon 3Mervue United 2

On a bitterly cold Sunday morning in Drom, it looked for a long time that Devon were not warming to the task. For the opening 39 minutes they were outplayed as they were on the back foot throughout.

However in a bizarre few minutes before the break, Eamonn O’Donnell scored twice very much against the run of play and at the interval the home side led 2-0.

Mervue responded to the challenge and despite missing half a dozen players through injury, they levelled matters through the goals of Stephen Larkin and Keith McHugh, before taking the foot off the pedal as they sauntered towards the final whistle.

They were made to pay for that when Meehan got a reward for his hard work with a late winner.

If the visitors were short numbers, the same could be said of the home side. With the start of the League of Ireland season, a number of players have moved on and with a few others not available or showing up, the side also included two players who were newcomers to the side.

Turmoil aside, it was Mervue who bossed the opening half exchanges, but just a lobbed effort by Colie Kelly threatened a goal as his effort struck the far post. The striker was later twice off target with similar efforts, before Vinny O’Connor was high with a close range shot.

Meehan was covering acres of ground and two decisive blocks in the box, were crucial as he thwarted Larkin and Walsh.

After Finn Creedon had a penalty claim waved away, Walsh was wide with the follow up and when the roles was reversed Creedon just couldn’t get a far post touch to a Walsh cross at the far post.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.