Season Preview: Mervue United
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Mervue United are now one part of a triumvirate of Airtricity League clubs in the City of the Tribes, an unprecedented situation and one which has incurred the wrath of many scribes.
Mervue will care little for their ire, though, and must concentrate on a battle with local rivals Salthill Devon to maintain their status in what looks like being an ultra-competitive First Division.
Tom French is a new man at the helm, having taken over from the departed Johnny Glynn and his assistant Mark Herrick. French has served a long apprenticeship at Galway United under both Tony Cousins and Ian Foster in various capacities, and was a live candidate for the United job when Foster vacated the manager's role.
He will be eager, then, to make his mark at Mervue with a young squad who performed capably last season and will have learned much from the experience. French is a renowned fitness guru and will insist on the highest standards for a side whose most notable result against the top four last term was a score draw with Sporting Fingal.
Despite their amateur status last season, the club made a reported loss in excess of €50,000 and have retained the majority of last year's squad while also promoting members of their U20 side. The most notable addition is keeper Ger Hanley who comes in search of game time after a bench-warming stint at Galway United.
Defender Liam McKenna also makes the same move and competition for places in the back four will be keen with Nigel Keady, Damien O'Rourke, Eric Browne, and up and coming talent Mike Elwood also battling for inclusion at centre half.
Dan Cunningham, who will no doubt soon get tired of being labelled "Irish squad member Greg's brother", is another exciting prospect, while Rory Gaffney may excel if given a more central role this term.
Veteran Ollie Keogh is back on board and with his fitness never in question he may add a creative tint to the midfield. David O'Dowd and David Goldbey will more than likely be the main goal threat again, with youngsters Enda Curran and Pat Toban also pushing for inclusion.
Mervue and Salthill have been keen rivals at underage levels for the past decade or more, and there is little love lost between the two set-ups as competition to entice the best young talent in the county has intensified.
With many First Division outfits growing stronger as released squad members drop down from the Premier, it is hard to see past a straight scrap for survival between the two Galway sides.
With a solid year's experience at this level under their belts, Mervue United will be slight favourites to emerge from this battle on top and claim the bragging rights.
Team: Mervue United
Manager: Tom French
Players In: Ger Hanley, Liam McKenna (both Galway United), Padraig Lally (West Utd), Craig Tone (Athlone Town), Darren Young
Players Out: Michael Harty, Paul Danagher, Eoin Martin, Ryan Griffin, David O'Brien, Neil Keane (all released)
One To Watch: Rory Gaffney
Prediction: 11th
Mervue will care little for their ire, though, and must concentrate on a battle with local rivals Salthill Devon to maintain their status in what looks like being an ultra-competitive First Division.
Tom French is a new man at the helm, having taken over from the departed Johnny Glynn and his assistant Mark Herrick. French has served a long apprenticeship at Galway United under both Tony Cousins and Ian Foster in various capacities, and was a live candidate for the United job when Foster vacated the manager's role.
He will be eager, then, to make his mark at Mervue with a young squad who performed capably last season and will have learned much from the experience. French is a renowned fitness guru and will insist on the highest standards for a side whose most notable result against the top four last term was a score draw with Sporting Fingal.
Despite their amateur status last season, the club made a reported loss in excess of €50,000 and have retained the majority of last year's squad while also promoting members of their U20 side. The most notable addition is keeper Ger Hanley who comes in search of game time after a bench-warming stint at Galway United.
Defender Liam McKenna also makes the same move and competition for places in the back four will be keen with Nigel Keady, Damien O'Rourke, Eric Browne, and up and coming talent Mike Elwood also battling for inclusion at centre half.
Dan Cunningham, who will no doubt soon get tired of being labelled "Irish squad member Greg's brother", is another exciting prospect, while Rory Gaffney may excel if given a more central role this term.
Veteran Ollie Keogh is back on board and with his fitness never in question he may add a creative tint to the midfield. David O'Dowd and David Goldbey will more than likely be the main goal threat again, with youngsters Enda Curran and Pat Toban also pushing for inclusion.
Mervue and Salthill have been keen rivals at underage levels for the past decade or more, and there is little love lost between the two set-ups as competition to entice the best young talent in the county has intensified.
With many First Division outfits growing stronger as released squad members drop down from the Premier, it is hard to see past a straight scrap for survival between the two Galway sides.
With a solid year's experience at this level under their belts, Mervue United will be slight favourites to emerge from this battle on top and claim the bragging rights.
Team: Mervue United
Manager: Tom French
Players In: Ger Hanley, Liam McKenna (both Galway United), Padraig Lally (West Utd), Craig Tone (Athlone Town), Darren Young
Players Out: Michael Harty, Paul Danagher, Eoin Martin, Ryan Griffin, David O'Brien, Neil Keane (all released)
One To Watch: Rory Gaffney
Prediction: 11th
About Alan Dooley
is one of Extratime's longest serving contributors. Based in County Galway, Alan has been following the League of Ireland since the mid-1980s. His first memory of the drama of domestic football was Vinny Arkins, then … View Full Profile