Heartbreak for Mervue as promotion-chasing Monaghan hit late winner

Mervue United 0Monaghan United 1

Cian O’Connell

Further evidence of Mervue United’s development was available at Fahy’s Field on Friday evening, but a cruel conclusion to an interesting game ensured Johnny Glynn’s team weren’t able to add any points to the plaudits they received for another solid display.

Mervue have journeyed a distance since the start of a season in which Glynn was quietly demanding a mid-table finish, but a recent spate of unfortunate and arguably undeserved losses mean that they might only better Finn Harps, Wexford Youths, and Salthill Devon on the table. Considering the strides that have been made and the fact that several youngsters are progressing, Glynn has reasons to be positive, but the recent statistics don’t offer much comfort.

A total of four points have been accumulated in the past seven matches and that worrying run has permitted Waterford United and Athlone Town to edge ahead of Mervue in the standings. Mervue could correctly point to the experience in the Waterford and Athlone squads, but the Galway outfit have missed out on an opportunity to push Longford Town for fifth place, which Glynn stated remained the target only a month or so ago.

Against Monaghan Mervue were everything Glynn wanted them to be. Brian O’Donoghue swept up behind a defence that was well marshalled by the increasingly effective James Casserly, while the workrate and desire of a team stuffed with youngsters was exemplary. 

The realist within Glynn will acknowledge, though, that Monaghan passed the ball with a crispness that Mervue weren’t able to replicate, but few sides in the First Division are as accomplished on the deck. Early on there was plenty to admire in the busy manner Mervue tried to restrict Monaghan’s stylish approach. Still as the opening period evolved it was apparent that there was a little more ability in Monaghan's midfield as Mervue sorely missed John Moutney, who limped off with a leg injury.

Moutney’s absence ensured that Monaghan were allowed control the tempo of the contest as Ryan Brennan, quickly earning a reputation as a smart passer in the centre of the park, certainly lived up to that billing.

Glynn’s charges were set up in a clever fashion carrying a threat out wide, where Jason Molloy’s skill was a factor on the right, while on the opposite flank Etanda Nkololo’s blistering pace bothered the visitors.Most of Mervue’s most encouraging moments occurred on the left as Nkololo craved involvement at the outset and it was in his direction where Glynn wanted deliveries planted.

Five minutes in, a smashing Nkololo run ended with the former Salthill Devon winger dragging a shot wide as Mervue sought to examine the promotion chasers credentials. Then in the eighth minute a necklace of passes involved Alex Lee and Pat Hoban with substitute Noel Varley unable to summon an accurate finish.

Monaghan’s retention of the ball was impressive, but they didn’t carve too many opportunities until late on in the half when Mervue were blessed to survive a string of scares as Ryan Brennan demonstrated his talent. Always willing to drive Monaghan forward, Brennan was at the heart of moves in which Mervue somehow didn’t concede, releasing brother Sean on 35, but the frontrunner rifled wide.

Two minutes later a gorgeous build up was started by Ryan Brennan, then Jordan Keegan fed Sean Brennan, but O’Donoghue got down low to save. On the stroke of half-time Ryan Brennan was the architect making space for Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien, but O’Donoghue made sure Mervue went in at the break on terms.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentiinel.