Super Blues close in on Limerick and Longford

Wednesday, 8th August 2012

Airtricity League of Ireland First Division mervue united 0 - 2 waterford united

The heavens opened just before kick off in Fahy's Field in Galway on Saturday night last, but thankfully it was beautifully bright and dry when the Roscommon lady Rhona Daly got proceedings under way in the west. The opening goal arrived after only seven minutes of play, and a peach of a goal it proved to be. Gary Dempsey played a low free kick from the left side of the penalty area into the path of Seamus Long who flicked the ball on to Seani Maguire and the wonder kid stroked the ball past goalkeeper Conor Gleeson from 12 yards range. It was a dream start for the Blues who have now closed the gap on Longford Town to just one point and to four on the leaders Limerick. Those two sides played out a scoreless draw 24 hours previously in Jackman Park.Waterford United were back on the attack once again on 22 minutes. Peter Keegan fed Paul Phelan who cut in from the left. His angled shot was turned away by Conor Gleeson at the expense of a corner kick. Gary Dempsey took the resultant flag kick but Seani Maguire headed over the crossbar at the back post. The Mervue goalkeeper was called into action once again on 33 minutes, this time he tipped away a well struck free kick taken by Dempsey from 25 yards. The Blues went in at half time in a very comfortable situation because the home side did not launch one meaningful attack during the course of the 45 minutes.

Waterford's left full back Dylan Mernagh had to be helped off early in the second half after he was involved in a clash of heads with Etanda Nkololo and he was replaced by the experienced John Frost.The Blues should have increased their lead on 54 minutes when Seani Maguire pulled the ball back from the left to Peter White but the in-form midfielder somehow managed to shoot high over the crossbar from a great position. The all white clad visitors continued to probe and they more or less set up came inside the Mervue half of the park and it came as no surprise when goal No 2 arrived ten minutes from full time. Conor Coad, who had replaced the injured Ben Ryan on the right win played the ball forward to Seani Maguire who was taken down from behind by left full back Michael McSweeney and Rhona Daly had no option but to point to the spot. David Breen, who was playing at centre half instead of the suspended Craig Burns took the penalty and he as he usually does from 12 yards rattled the net with real class. Next up for Waterford is a home game this Friday against Athlone Town and that will be followed by another home match with Wexford Youths.Waterford United have lost just one in their last 15 games and they are now right in the thick of the promotion and title race. They will play Mervue United once again on Friday, August 24th at the RSC in the FAI Cup, and a quarter final place is surely very much on the cards. First things first however, and it's a case of bring on Athlone Town this weekend. It many years since the midlanders beat the Blues and lets hope that trend continues this Friday. Kick off is at 7.45pm.