Tough games face both Mervue Utd and Salthill Devon

Date Published: 14-Oct-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

AFTER a morale crushing defeat to local rivals Mervue United, basement club Salthill Devon have just three games left to turn their fortunes around in the First Division of the Airtricity League.

Devon let a one-goal advantage slip to Mervue in the bottom of the table clash in Terryland last week, losing 2-1, and, consequently, they all but relinquished any hope of avoiding a relegation play-off next month.

If the Seagulls are to pull off a Steve McQueen and perform ‘The Great Escape’, then they must get a result against promotion chasing Derry City at Drom on Saturday (7pm). Given Salthill have conceded eight goals in their previous two meetings against City this season, albeit, the majority of those goals were dished out in the 7-0 hammering of Devon up in Drom earlier in the year, it would be a significant upset if Emlyn Long’s charges were to get something out of this game.

In contrast, Mervue United, who face Shelbourne in Tolka Park this evening, Friday (8pm), may not have to pick up another point between now and the end of the season, given they hold a four-point advantage on the league table over Salthill.What they will be looking to do, however, is avoid heavy beatings aga

inst their remaining opponents, namely Shelbourne, Monaghan (away) and Finn Harps (home). If they can take a point from any of those ties, it would be a bonus.As for this evening, Mervue meet a Shelbourne side which, lying fourth on the First Division table, is not out of the hunt for promotion just yet.

As a result, the Dubliners will be going all out to secure the points, with a win potentially lifting them to third . . . depending on how Waterford United fare away to Longford Town.