Mervue United youths run riot in away victory over Longford
AN impressive performance by Mervue United helped them to a 7-1 away win over Longford Town on Sunday as they maintained their top spot in the Airtricity U-19 Southern Division and, in the process, guaranteed their participation in the end of season play offs for qualification to the Elite Division.
A quick early brace by Ryan Manning set them off on the correct footing and the Galway outfit went on to eventually hit four in a comfortable success. Padraig Cunningham (two) and Aaron McDonagh completed the visitors tally.
Elsewhere, second placed Limerick defeated Bohemians by 2-0, and a win for them in an outstanding game against Wexford would see them overtake Mervue Utd at the summit to win the Southern Division.
However, the duo along with the Northern Division top two of Derry City and Dundalk, will now participate in a further six game home and away series, with the top two eventually qualifying for the top level.
Meanwhile in an Elite Division contest, Salthill Devon picked up a valuable point in a scoreless draw away to Bray Wanderers.
MICHAEL BYRNE CUP
The Michael Byrne Cup dominated the weekend action, with three all Premier clashes attracting the most attention with the only big shock being a first defeat of the season for Mervue United as an Eoghan Roche goal just after the restart gave St Bernard’s a 1-0 win in Abbeyknockmoy.
The holders, Athenry, had to come from behind before seeing off Tuam Celtic by 4-1 on penalties. The contest finished level at 1-1 following extra time, with Gavin Connell giving Celtic an opening half advantage before Keith Loughnane set up Cathal Fahy for the equaliser.
In the shootout, Athenry goalkeeper Dara Murphy proved to be the hero with two saves, as Fahy, Damien Rooney, Conor Lally and Dermot O’Halloran all found the target for the visitors. Just Ricky Kent cound find the net for the home side.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.