Mervue Utd put title on the line as new season kicks-off
By Mike Rafferty
Last season Premier Division champions, Mervue United, and second-placed Athenry were separated by just a single point at the end of the season and no doubt they will be amongst the leading contenders as the new season get under way this weekend.
Throughout the 2018/19 season, the likes of West United and Salthill Devon also posed a challenge for a spell before eventually falling off the pace and in reality, they look the obvious quartet to threaten again.
The 10-team Premier Division is split into a neat City/County divide with five teams on each side of the fence, with Corrib Rangers and St Bernard’s the newly promoted teams up from the First Division.
The campaign kicks off with some cracking games over the weekend, with the meeting of Salthill Devon and Athenry a tasty opener in Drom tonight (7.45pm). The meeting of neighbours and old rivals West United and Corrib Rangers could produce fireworks in South Park at 11am on Sunday.
Mervue United face Maree/Oranmore at 11am in Fahy's Field on Sunday. They have strengthened their squad with the addition of Keith Greaney from Corrib Celtic, as well as two players who played in the Limerick League last season – Jonathan Hannafin and Jamie McGrath.
They will also continue to look to the experience of Keith McHugh, Tommy Walsh, and Jason Molloy to continue to guide them on the correct path, while the goals of Enda Curran and Barry Moran will keep them in a challenging position.
Until they faded in the latter stages of the season, Salthill Devon looked strong title contenders, but they showed they can beat anyone with some big wins. They have strengthened their side with a few new recruits like Shane Concannon from Corrib Celtic and Loughrea duo of Adam O’Riordan and Darren Creaven.
West United are also regular contenders and manager Rodney Grant has held on to almost all of his squad from last season. The likes of Eoin Whelan and Ronan Caldwell will no doubt again be big players for the South Park outfit.
Connacht Junior Cup winners Corrib Rangers will fancy their chances back in the top flight, but their ability to win on a constant basis remains in doubt. Manager Brendan O'Connor will be working with all that cup-winning squad with Ronan Sweeney and Dave Cubbard as fresh faces.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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