Mervue United 2 - 1 Salthill Devon

• Terry Flaherty
• Fri, Oct 08 2010


Mervue United came from behind with two second half strikes to claim an important three points, as Ger Hanley saved a late penalty to ensure the win in the Galway derby with Salthill Devon in Terryland Park.

The home side named an unchanged side for the first time this season, while Salthill made four changes from the team which lost 3-1 to Limerick last Saturday as goalkeeper Adrian Faherty, Colm Horgan, Mikey Gilmore and Gearoid O’Leidhinn all came into the starting eleven for the derby game.

It was the visitors who started brightly and player/coach Mike Quirke hit the bar direct from a free-kick on the right after just 4 minutes. Mervue were forced to make an early substitution as striker Dave Goldbey hobbled off to be replaced by Enda Curran.

Sixteen minutes in and Ciprian Straut had an effort from the left of the box gathered comfortably by Hanley as Salthill continued to look the more eager side early on. Mervue’s James Casserely, fresh from his two goals against Longford last week, had a free header wide of the mark from a Mark Ludden corner kick, after the home side had forced two corners in succession.

The home side finally began to start getting into the game as Rory Gaffney hit a tame effort at Faherty after Barry McEntee's ball released him into the box on 26 minutes, while Enda Curran curled another effort from the right straight at Faherty also.

Mervue hit the front with 20 minutes remaining when Curran nipped in between two defenders to shoot past Faherty at the near post following another dangerous Ludden cross into the box.

A very good run by the lively Gaffney on 32 minutes saw him beat two defenders before shooting just wide of Faherty’s right hand post. Salthill responded with Victor Collins rattling the crossbar with a well struck effort three minutes later and Cian McBrien forced a fine fingertip save out of Ger Hanley.

The visitors hit the front seven minutes from the break after Mervue failed to clear and the ball fell to McBrien who threaded a ball through the heart of the defence to Collins and he made no mistake rounding Hanley and shooting into the empty net despite Mervue claims for offside. Video replays seem to indicate right back Casserely had played him onside.

Mervue to their credit came out a different side in the second half and were level within eight minutes of the restart. Good play from Gaffney spread the ball wide to Ludden on the left of the box and his cross cum shot flew in off the far post to level matters at 1-1.

The goal seemed to spur the home side on as Curran saw his bicycle kick fly just the wrong side of Faherty’s post following a corner kick on the hour mark. A long Ludden throw into the box on 67 minutes picked out Casserely but he headed wide.

Mervue should have doubled their lead on 73 minutes when once again Gaffney weaved a bit of magic in the box before crossing to the unmarked Eric Browne but the defender pulled his shot high over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Gaffney volleyed another decent effort just over Faherty’s crossbar with ten minutes remaining as the home side looked to finish the game the stronger. But there was to be a dramatic late end to the game as Graham Kelly awarded Salthill a rather soft penalty following a challenge by Kevin Crehan on Robbie Porter in the box with three minutes remaining.

Goalscorer Collins took responsibility for the kick, which in fairness he struck well, but Hanley produced a wonderful save to send the ball over the crossbar and away to safety.

Mervue then missed two good chances to sealed the points in the final minutes. Firstly a brilliant ball by McEntee played sub Ryan Boyle clean through but he hit his effort straight at the advancing Faherty. Gaffney then raced into the box and pulled a good ball back across the face of goals but unfortunately none of his teammates could knock it into the empty net.

Despite four additional minutes the home team defended well and deservedly collected a valuable three points, their first win since a 4-3 defeat of Longford in early July, and more importantly move four points clear of Devon at the foot of the table.

Mervue United: Ger Hanley, James Casserley, Martin Conneely, Eric Browne, Dan Cunningham, Alex Lee (Mike Tierney ‘75), Barry McEntee, Kevin Crehan, Mark Ludden, Rory Gaffney, David Goldbey (Enda Curran ‘15) (Ryan Boyle ’86).
Subs not used: Noel Varley and Conor Glesson (GK).

Salthill Devon: Adrian Faherty, Colm Horgan, Gearoid O’Leidhinn, Brian Geraghty, James Whelan (Dragos Barbu ‘46), Mike Quirke (Brian Gaffney ’60), Cian McBrien, Robbie Porter, Victor Collins, Ciprian Straut, Mikey Gilmore (Damien O’Reilly ’71)
Sub not used: Luke McConnell and Gerry Burke.

Yellow card: Mikey Gilmore ‘69
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match – Enda Curan – scored the winning goal and looked very lively after coming on as an early sub before departing himself with an injury late on.