Date Published: 28-Apr-2011

STEPHEN GLENNON

MERVUE United have a number of injury concerns as they host an unbeaten Monaghan United side in their Airtricity First Division fixture at Fahy Field this evening, Friday (7:45pm).

Defenders Damien O’Rourke (Achilles), Nicky Curran (calf) and Noel Varley (shins) are all in a race to be fit, while striker Jason Molloy is struggling with a groin injury.

Johnny Glynn’s outfit enter this tie on the back of a disappointing 1-0 away loss to Athlone in the league last Friday and a 2-1 defeat against Derry City in the EA Sports Cup on Monday.

That said, of the two games, Glynn particularly bemoaned the dropped points at Athlone Town. “It was just one of the games. I was happy with the performance, just disappointed with the result,” said the Mervue manager.

“Athlone played a very slow type of game and then they got the goal and just sat back. We played all the football, but we couldn’t get the goal we needed. We will have to learn from that.”

Although Monaghan lie second in the First Division table – just a point behind leaders Cork City – Mervue will be buoyed by results last season when they drew their first home game against the visitors and subsequently defeated the Northern outfit 2-1 in their second last game of the season.

“I don’t know (if it is encouraging),” argued Glynn. “I mean, they have a new manager and a lot of new players. They are also unbeaten and are going very well but, I suppose, they have to lose sometime. I know we won’t fear them anyway.

“We still have to ensure we defend well and create chances going forward. We haven’t been getting any hidings, though, and we have done well against every team we have played this season, aside from Limerick.”

If there is a negative, however, it is that Mervue’s request to change a number of their home fixtures to avoid clashes with other games was rejected by the FAI this week. “It is disappointing to be clashing with the Galway United game, and that match is on the telly as well.

“I suppose, Connacht aren’t playing, so that might help (attendances), but it will also depend on the weather. We have been getting between 300 to 400, on average, at our home games, so we would hope to build on that.”

Meanwhile, Salthill Devon also have their injury woes ahead of Saturday evening’s clash against Longford Town at Flancare Park (7:30pm). Defenders Colm Horgan and Wes Charles (both groin) are out, while it will be another two to three weeks before midfielder Robbie Porter returns from a knee injury.

Player/manager Mike Quirke is still under suspension, although striker Victor Collins does return from his time on the sidelines following his suspension.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.