Mervue Utd face Longford Town in top-of-table clash

 Keith Kelly

Mervue United travel to Longford Town tomorrow night for a top-of-the-table clash in the Airtricity League First Division (7.30pm), hoping to take advantage of any potential turmoil at the Midlands club following the match-fixing allegations which have enveloped the league leaders in the past week.

It was announced this week that an investigation is underway at the Midlands club into allegations of match-fixing, and the club has moved to suspend one of its players, although in a statement it has stressed that the suspension does not, or should not, imply any wrongdoing by the player.

“Longford Town FC wish to inform their supporters that the club is in receipt of information with regard to a Longford Town player’s possible involvement in activities which could be construed as conspiring to influence the results of matches.

“As a result of this information received, Longford Town FC is obliged to notify the relevant authorities and conduct an internal investigation into the matter. The internal investigation has commenced. Subsequently one player has been suspended by the club while the investigation takes place,” read a statement issued by the club this week.

The Disciplinary Control Unit of the FAI has opened an investigation into the matter, and has contacted both UEFA and An Garda Siochána in relation to the issue – it may be a case that a player reported an approach to him, rather than the player being involved in any wrongdoing.

Longford Town manager Tony Cousins is believed to have informed his squad of the investigation last week, but the news certainly has not affected the club’s performances on the pitch, as they have won two competitive fixtures since then.

They made it three wins from four games last weekend when twice coming from behind to beat Cobh Ramblers 4-3 in St Colman’s Park last Saturday, Daniel Purdy hitting the winner in the third minute of injury time; and they followed that up with a 2-1 win over St Kevin’s Boys in the Leinster Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

The win over Cobh saw them move top of the table, one point ahead of Mervue United ahead of tomorrow night’s top-of-the-table clash against a Mervue side that is unbeaten in its four games this season.

Glynn’s charges opened their campaign with a scoreless draw away to Athlone Town, before claiming local bragging rights with a 2-1 win over Salthill Devon in Fahy’s Field. They then hammered Waterford United 4-0 in the RSC, before throwing away a two-goal lead at home to Finn Harps last week to record their second draw of the season.

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