Mervue Utd throw it away against 10-man Longford Town

Mervue United fell to fourth place in the Airtricity League First Division table as Longford Town further cemented their place at the summit, coming from behind to earn all three points at Fahy’s Field on Friday evening.

Summer had finally arrived and Paul Sinnott gave Johnny Glynn’s men the lead on the stroke of half time, before second-half goals from David O’Sullivan and David O’Neill turned the game on its head.

O’Sullivan had a decent effort saved by Conor Gleeson after just two minutes, and five minutes later Daniel Purdy crossed for Gary Shaw but his shot went inches wide as Tony Cousins’ charges looked to snatch an early lead in front of a decent crowd on the east side of the city.

Mervue’s first effort of note saw Jason Molloy cross for Brendan Lavelle, but his free header failed to find the target, as Glynn was again forced to tinker with his team due to injuries to the likes of Gary Curran and Tom King.

The game got scrappy before Longford had another go when Shaw headed over a decent cross from Keith Quinn, and on 20 minutes Molloy unleashed a wonderful strike with his left foot and Chris Bennion produced a huge save to somehow keep it out.

Moments later Ryan Manning – who had been uncharacteristically quiet in the opening half hour – had a go from distance and his dipping shot just went over the crossbar, but in the final minute before the break Mervue went in front.

Brian McCarthy gave away a cheap ball to Jason Molloy and he darted forward to find Sinnott, who composed himself well under pressure and shot low to Bennion’s left and into the net.

Nine minutes after the restart Mervue were handed another boost when Longford Town were reduced to 10 men, when Willo McDonagh got his marching orders after appearing to use an elbow in a challenge with Gary Kelly.

Former Galway United boss Cousins was forced to reshuffle his pack as a result and he withdrew Keith Gillespie, the former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers midfielder being replaced by David O’Neill.

 For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.