Draw is enough to see Mervue Utd take Premier Division title

Mervue United 1Athenry 1

Mike Rafferty

Mervue United did what they had to do as they collected the point required to give them the Brod Trill Premier Division title for the first time in six seasons after playing out a draw with second-placed Athenry in Fahy’s Field on Sunday morning.

Stephen Larkin’s sixth goal in three games was enough to give Paugie Kilgannon’s charges the opening half lead, but while Barry O’Donovan levelled matters for the visitors just after the restart, his controversial sending off minutes later was to limit the visitors’ ambitions as they went chasing the win required.

However to give credit to the home side, they produced the goods throughout the season and just two losses maintained their top spot in the table for the duration of the campaign.

Sunday’s contest was fraught with anxiety as a fixture difficulty set posers for the administrators, with Athenry less than pleased with the timing of the game. While the kick-off was brought forward to 10.30am, Mark Moran still had to depart the action after an hour in order to make his daughter’s communion.

He was their second front man who had to leave early as hamstring victim Benny Lawless was forced off after just 16 minutes, while Stephen Rabbitte was ruled out as a clash of heads in training resulted in the defender having eight stitches inserted just above the eye, while Mervue were deprived the services of suspended skipper Robert Connolly.

With the strong wind not really aiding either side as it blew across the pitch, it was the home team who held the upper hand from the off.Both sides were certainly trying to play a closely controlled passing game, but such was the intensity that space was at a premium and players seldom got an opportunity to settle in possession.

Colie Kelly cracked in an opening minute shot that had Kieran Kilkelly scampering down to his right and while clear chances were few and far between, it was the home side which did the majority of the pressing.

They almost opened their account on nine minutes when a Darvin Dowling delivery got a flick from Keith McHugh and the covering Ronan Kinneen knew little of the deflection that took it just past the far post.

Finnerty then cut in along the byline, but the danger was again averted by the vigilant Kinneen.

Little was being seen of Athenry in attack and while four opening half corners presented opportunities, the difficulties presented by the elements left the execution less than perfect. A Crowe free kick flashed wide, while Ryan Griffin dealt with some routine deliveries.The midfield quartet of Derek McWalter, Stephen Larkin, Seamie Crowe and Gary Delaney seldom had an inch of space in order to influence proceedings and it was without warning the breakthrough arrived on 29 minutes.

Arron Finnerty’s pinpoint cross picked out Dara Ryan, whose lay-off dropped neatly into the path of Larkin outside the box and his side-footed effort left Kilkelly helpless as it nestled in the top right corner for a 1-0 advantage.

Griffin was twice tested as Crowe drilled in a shot, while the custodian had a little  more work to do as he pushed away an Alan O’Donovan free kick.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.