Different focus for Mervue and Salthill after clubs' derby clash

STEPHEN GLENNON

MERVUE United will look to build on their emphatic derby victory over local rivals Salthill Devon when they face promotion chasing Cork City in an attractive Airtricity First Division fixture at Fahy Field this evening, Friday (7:45pm).

After United recorded a superb 5-0 win over Devon in Drom last Saturday – Peter Dravins netting two of the goals – Johnny Glynn’s side will no doubt be in buoyant mood when they host second placed Cork City later today.

However, Glynn has already warned his side that last weekend’s result was firmly in the past and that they must re-focus their attention to matters in hand. “Yeah, there were a lot of people happy with the result, but you have to be careful. What can happen, at a time like this, is that quite often a big win can set you up for a fall. So, we have to be on our guard for Cork this weekend.”

Aside from a plethora of current injuries, which include goalkeeper TJ Forde, defender Nicky Curran, midfielders Dan Cunningham and Damien O’Rourke and strikers Mike Collins and Tom King, United will also be without defender Noel Varley, who is suspended for this game.

On the plus side, though, defender Kenny Farrell is well on the road to recovery from a cruciate injury – and is back in training – but he is not fit enough yet to take his place in the match day squad.

In any event, it will be an upbeat Mervue United that takes the field this evening, particularly after their unexpected big win over Salthill. “It is always a surprise when you win big, but, in fairness, everything really did fall into place for us on the night where nothing fell for Salthill. I suppose, Salthill were after their victory over Wexford, so we probably caught them a little off guard. We have to ensure the same doesn’t happen to us this weekend.”

Indeed, it would be foolish to take this evening’s visitors for granted, especially as they boast 12 wins from 21 league games and have only been beaten once this season in the First Division. Simply, they are a top side. “Cork play a 4-4-2 system; it is a system they have played in nearly every game this season,” notes Glynn.

“I went down to see them play Limerick in the semi-final of the EA Cup last week and I thought they were a very strong, physically big side. So, we will have to cope with that and prepare as best we can for that. I would say, though, we do have options ourselves going into this game.”

Meanwhile, Salthill Devon will make the unenviable trek to Limerick to face their hosts in Jackman Park this evening (7:45pm). For this one, defenders James Whelan (suspended) and Eugene Greaney (away) are unavailable, while strikers Victor Collins and Etanda Nkololo recently departed the club for Galway United and Mervue United respectively. Midfielder Ronan Conlon, though, returns from holidays. 

Alluding to the defeat to Mervue last weekend, Devon manager Paul McGee admits it was very disappointing, but notes such are the “ups and downs” of the sport. “We had a great win against Wexford and maybe the Mervue game came a bit too quickly for us. In fairness, we just had an off night. We did not play ball or compete,” says McGee. 

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