McDonnell rubbishes rumours of Mervue Utd pulling out of LOI

STEPHEN GLENNON

Chairman of Mervue United Declan McDonnell has quashed rumours that the club’s final First Division game of the season against Finn Harps in Ballybofey this Saturday will be their last in the Airtricity League.

Mervue – who claimed promotion to the First Division in late 2008 and have just secured First Division football on the field of play for a third season – were earlier this week reported to be pulling out of next season’s League due to financial constraints and poor attendances at their home games. However, this has been vehemently denied by the club.

“It’s not true. We want to play in the league next season,” said McDonnell, who reiterated that Mervue wanted to consolidate its status as a League of Ireland club, and do so by hosting these games at their home in Mervue instead of Terryland Park.

“Everyone we have talked to wants to play in Mervue and we are taking steps to do that,” continued McDonnell. “I suppose, financially, it is not a cheap thing to play in the League, and the rumours may have come from that, but what I am saying is that this is a club which caters for players from U-6 to senior and we want our players to play at the highest level.”

McDonnell admitted, though, that Mervue’s participation was subject to securing their licence, adding: “We know what the FAI need and we have been working towards that by securing our planning permission and meeting the other stipulations.”

Asked if Mervue United were unable to secure a licence due to their grounds not fulfilling the necessary requirements, would they return to Terryland Park, McDonnell said the club would consider returning to their current venue – provided they could finalise the arrangement in time with the relevant parties.

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