Dream debut for Mervue's Barrett
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
FRIDAY night proved a night of firsts for Mervue United’s Kevin Barrett – first game, first touch, first goal.
The 21-year-old who only joined the Galway-based club from junior side Colemanstown a year ago, got his League of Ireland career off to an enviable start against Sporting Fingal as his shot handed Mervue the 88th-minute equaliser. “I can’t describe how it felt to score the equaliser, all I know it was a brilliant feeling,” he said.
Barrett was introduced in the 87th minute of play at Terryland Park on Friday, in place of evergreen defender Noel McDonnell. He, along with 17-year-old Paul Scully, were making their debuts for the team.
Fingal had dominated the first half and led 1-0 courtesy of a 76th minute goal to Robert Bayly, but it was a case of right place at the right time for Barrett, who ran onto a cross from a smart-thinking Dave Goldbey, who had taken a quick free kick right on the end line after Fingal ‘keeper Quigley had ruled to have handled the ball twice.
“The referee didn’t give us an awful lot tonight, but he called the free and David Goldbey was quick enough to get down there, take the free and Kevin Barrett at the end there,” Mervue manager Johnny Glynn said.
“So that’s David Goldbey’s experience and quick thinking and Kevin Barrett’s quick thinking as well, so fair play to the two of them.
“It’s great to score a goal in the last minute. We’ve scored a very, very important goal and I think we deserved it … for the amount of work we put in and the possession we had.”
Mervue had battled back into the game after Fingal, with a stiff breeze at their backs, had been well in control for the first half, but forwent numerous chances which could have made it a very different ball game. Glynn said there was little said at the break which spurred his side into action. “I didn’t say too much, just a few small things,” he said.
“They kind of felt themselves, and that’s a good feeling for me, they can feel it themselves that there’s plenty left in the tank and they’re going to go for it in the second half. I didn’t really need to coax them today, they did it all themselves.”
It was an impressive result for the home side against the third-placed Fingal who are heavy favourites to take out the first division this season, and they will go into next Friday’s clash with the in-form Wexford Youths buoyed with confidence. “Wexford, this could be a very interesting game next week, they’re playing very well,” Glynn said.
“I don’t know how they did tonight, but they’re on a great run, they’ve won five on the trot and we’re looking forward to it. We’re the only two amateur teams in the league and both doing reasonably well. So it’s a big challenge and one we’re looking forward to next Friday night.”
The 21-year-old who only joined the Galway-based club from junior side Colemanstown a year ago, got his League of Ireland career off to an enviable start against Sporting Fingal as his shot handed Mervue the 88th-minute equaliser. “I can’t describe how it felt to score the equaliser, all I know it was a brilliant feeling,” he said.
Barrett was introduced in the 87th minute of play at Terryland Park on Friday, in place of evergreen defender Noel McDonnell. He, along with 17-year-old Paul Scully, were making their debuts for the team.
Fingal had dominated the first half and led 1-0 courtesy of a 76th minute goal to Robert Bayly, but it was a case of right place at the right time for Barrett, who ran onto a cross from a smart-thinking Dave Goldbey, who had taken a quick free kick right on the end line after Fingal ‘keeper Quigley had ruled to have handled the ball twice.
“The referee didn’t give us an awful lot tonight, but he called the free and David Goldbey was quick enough to get down there, take the free and Kevin Barrett at the end there,” Mervue manager Johnny Glynn said.
“So that’s David Goldbey’s experience and quick thinking and Kevin Barrett’s quick thinking as well, so fair play to the two of them.
“It’s great to score a goal in the last minute. We’ve scored a very, very important goal and I think we deserved it … for the amount of work we put in and the possession we had.”
Mervue had battled back into the game after Fingal, with a stiff breeze at their backs, had been well in control for the first half, but forwent numerous chances which could have made it a very different ball game. Glynn said there was little said at the break which spurred his side into action. “I didn’t say too much, just a few small things,” he said.
“They kind of felt themselves, and that’s a good feeling for me, they can feel it themselves that there’s plenty left in the tank and they’re going to go for it in the second half. I didn’t really need to coax them today, they did it all themselves.”
It was an impressive result for the home side against the third-placed Fingal who are heavy favourites to take out the first division this season, and they will go into next Friday’s clash with the in-form Wexford Youths buoyed with confidence. “Wexford, this could be a very interesting game next week, they’re playing very well,” Glynn said.
“I don’t know how they did tonight, but they’re on a great run, they’ve won five on the trot and we’re looking forward to it. We’re the only two amateur teams in the league and both doing reasonably well. So it’s a big challenge and one we’re looking forward to next Friday night.”
