100 people turn up to see Mervue routed

Date Published: 12-Aug-2010

Mervue United 0

Sporting Fingal 4

Keith Kelly at

Terryland Park

THE FAI Cup dream is over for Mervue United for another year after they were well beaten by Cup holders Sporting Fingal in their Third Round replay in Terryland Park on Tuesday night.

The final scoreline reflects the visitors’ overall dominance, especially in the second half, but doesn’t tell the full story of the game as Mervue enjoyed their own 20 minute spell of sustained pressure in the opening period, and had they converted any of their many chances in that spell, there was every chance a real shock was on the cards.

However, Liam Buckley’s side knuckled down after the break, almost owning the ball for the entire duration of the second period to comfortably advance to the next round in front of a gate of just over 100 people, which included a pathetic six fans in the away section, a shocking support for the defending cup holders.

Mervue made four changes to side beaten by Finn Harps in the league at the weekend, with Ger Hanley, Darren Young, David Ryan and Alex Lee all coming into the side.

The cup holders made two changes to the side that beat Galway United on the same ground last Friday night in the League, with Ollie Cahill and Alan Kirby named in place of Shaun Maher – who was suspended after being sent off in the original tie between the sides in June – and Eamon Zayed.

Mervue were the first to threaten, and visiting ‘keeper Darren Quigley had to act as a sweeper to race out of his box in the ninth minute and clear Alex Lee’s ball over the top as Rory Gaffney looked to get in behind the defence.