Mervue Utd make play-off but FAI still ruling them offside
The FAI have reiterated that Mervue United will not compete in either division of the League of Ireland next season, despite Johnny Glynn’s side qualifying for the First Division promotion play-off over the weekend.
The Fahy’s Field side will take on Longford Town in the two-leg final over the next couple of Fridays after they defeated Wexford Youths 4-1 on Saturday night – and if they win that, they will face the side that finishes 11th in the Premier Division in another two-leg play-off.
However, those games are as good as pointless after the FAI again ruled out any chance of Mervue United being involved in the League of Ireland in a lone capacity next season.
“Mervue United and Salthill Devon will not be competing in the Airtricity League season 2014 and have agreed be part of the new Galway entity which will apply for a Licence to play in next season’s First Division,” a spokesperson for the communications department of the FAI said last Thursday.
“At the end of the season all clubs in both divisions are awarded a sporting merit ranking from 1 to 20 depending on their League finishing position and results in the play-offs. If a club do [sic] not take their place in the Premier Division 2014 then the club with the next highest sporting merit ranking will take that position provided they receive a Premier Division Licence,” the spokesperson said.
All of that means that, if Mervue defeat Longford over two-legs, their play-off with the 11th-placed side in the Premier Division will be completely redundant as it cannot affect which team qualifies for the final Premier Division place next season.
The first-leg of the play-off with Longford will be in Fahy’s Field this Friday (7.45pm), with the second leg in City Calling Stadium in Longford the following Friday (7.45pm).