Fifth successive win keeps Mervue Utd’s play-off hopes very much alive

Mervue United made it five wins on the trot as a professional performance saw them overcome Cobh Ramblers at Fahy’s Field on Friday night thanks to goals in either half from Gary Shanahan and Stephen Walsh.

The win keeps Mervue in the frame for a promotion playoff spot coming into the final game of the season, where Johnny Glynn’s men must make the long trip to the southeast to face Wexford Youths on Saturday evening.

The victory saw Mervue briefly jump to third place in the table, before being relegated back to fourth after Longford Town’s slender 2-1 home win over Wexford on Saturday night.

But Mervue will ooze in confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash with Wexford thanks to another fine display which saw them also keep their fifth clean sheet on the bounce. Waterford United are away to Cobh Ramblers on Saturday, and Longford Town head to the home of champions, Athlone Town, with both needing a win to ensure they qualify for the play-offs. Any slip-up by either will see Mervue finish in the play-off spots if they beat Wexford.

Mervue created their first chance of note in the sixth minute when a Jason Molloy cross aimed at Ryan Manning was held by Cobh keeper Shane Hallahan.

Brendan Frahill then shot wide for the visitors and Alan O’Flynn had a fine effort tipped over by Conor O’Malley in quick succession, but as the half hour mark approached, Mervue began to flow.

Jason Molloy knocked a perfect ball forward for Walsh and his low cross was missed by Shanahan at the back post. Five minutes before the break, the inevitable goal arrived when a slick move saw Manning collect the ball in the centre circle to pick out Barry O’Mahoney, and he picked out Shanahan who fired past Hallahan into the roof of the net.

Mervue carved out two more decent chances to double their lead before the break – first Walsh lashing over from the edge of the box ,and then Manning shooting wide after O’Mahoney played him in.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.