Manning’s early birthday present stops the rot for Mervue United

Cobh Ramblers 0

Jason Byrne at Fahy’s Field

Mervue United stopped the rot on Friday as a solitary strike from Ryan Manning deep in the first half was enough to give Johnny Glynn’s men a vital three points at a scorching Fahy’s Field on Saturday evening.

A week shy of his 17th birthday, Manning rifled home in style five minutes before the break to end Mervue’s slump of four defeats on the bounce. The win also elevates them back to second place in the table – only on goals scored ahead of Athlone Town.

The 4.30pm kick-off meant heat levels were still very much soaring at 20+ degrees, and it took both sides time to adapt. The first incident of note arrived on 19 minutes when Cobh attacker John Spillane was granted space as he galloped forward, but his shot sailed over.

Brendan Lavelle sent Barry O’Mahoney through on the half-hour mark, but he also failed to keep his shot down, firing well over the crossbar.

Two minutes later Ramblers launched a rare attack when Martin Deady played in Sean O’Mahony and he crossed for Conor Meade – but his half-volley went inches wide of the upright.

A minute later Mervue created a chance of their own when Marc Ludden whipped a cross in for Lavelle, but his first-time volley was deflected wide by Cobh skipper John Meade.

The game was gradually starting to open up a bit more and five minutes later Stephen Walsh popped a neat pass over the top for Noel Varley, but there was just too much weight on it and Cobh ’keeper Robert Birdsall was able to gather.

Three minutes later the long-awaited goal arrived in a slick attacking Mervue move. O’Mahony passed to Lavelle on the right side, and the Mayo youngster showed great skill to round the advancing Birdsall and pull the trigger, only for his shot to be blocked on the line by Brian Fitzgerald.

Varley promptly collected the loose ball and pulled it back to Manning, who hammered the ball home into the top corner with his left foot to finish superbly into the top corner.

After the break the half began slowly once more before it grew into life. On the hour mark Lavelle found the omnipresent Manning who shot first-time and with Birdsall stretching the ball trickled just wide.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.