Premier Division 03.06.18

Salthill Devon 0-2 Mervue Utd 

The Junior A team defeated Salthill Devon 2-0 in their final Premier Division game on Sunday morning to join leaders Athenry at the top of the table on 43 points and force a Play-off for the league title.

Goals in either half from Eoin Concannon (penalty) and Enda Curran secured the important league win and the all important three points.

Mervue started well and forced a couple of early chances before Mark Griffin was taken down in the box with referee Gerry Fahy awarding a penalty, which Eoin Concannon dispatched for an early lead on 19 minutes to settle the nerves.

That lead was held until half time but the hosts almost drew level six minutes after the break when Shane O’Rourke struck the post. Mervue responded with Stephen Larkin having a fine shot brilliantly saved by the home keeper and Mark Griffin clipped an effort off the top of the crossbar.

They doubled their lead on 58 minutes when they countered quickly as Jason Molloy raided down the left flank before picking out Enda Curran and the striker continued his good goal scoring form as he struck a sweet shot into the bottom corner from just outside the box.

Paul Healy then almost scored for the second game in succession as Salthill failed to clear a corner and the defender’s effort at the back post struck the woodwork before Stephen Larkin saw his follow up shot cleared off the line by Jason Murphy.

Colm Power did brilliantly at the other end as he kept out a well struck shot from Jason Murphy with eight minutes remaining as the final minutes were played out with Mervue keeping possession to see out time

Having needed to win their last two league games to force a playoff with leaders, Athenry, they made no mistake in collecting all three points in both games.

The league title will now come down to a final head to head between the two sides at Eamonn Deacy Park this Sunday (10^th June) with a 2 pm kick-off. With very little between the sides all season it promises to be another close affair after a very long season.

Mervue Utd: Colm Power, Aaron Finnerty, Tommy Walsh, Paul Healy, Eric Browne; Jason Molloy, Mark Griffin, Stephen Larkin, Eoin Concannon (Peter Walsh); Barry Moran (Ciaran Foley), Enda Curran