Mervue United A.F.C.
| Full name | Mervue United Association Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1960 | ||
| Ground | Fahy's Field | ||
| Manager | Johnny Glynn | ||
| League | Galway & District League (Premier League) |
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| 2013/14 | 1st | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
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Mervue United A.F.C. is an association football club based in Galway, Ireland.
The team was accepted to play in the newly formed A Championship in 2008. In November 2008, they won promotion from the A Championship to the League of Ireland First Division.
Mervue also has two teams competing in the Galway & District League as well as juvenile teams ranging from ages nine to early teens, who compete in the League of Ireland Under 20 Championship.
Contents
History
In 1960, a small group of Mervue residents decided to form a youth soccer club. The club have mainly been involved in promoting junior and juvenile soccer for Galway. They have won many underage competitions since their formation including two Irish cups, at under-14 and under-16 level. They also reached the final of the Dr. Tony O'Neill Under-21 league.
Mervue were competed in the inaugural season of the A Championship[1] alongside local neighbours Salthill Devon. By finishing third in their group, Mervue qualified for a Relegation/Promotion play off against Kildare County. After a 5–3 aggregate win, Mervue were promoted to the League of Ireland First Division for the 2009 season. Mervue finished second from bottom saving them from relegation.
In the 2013 League of Ireland season the club finished third in the First Division, earning them a spot in the Promotion play off against Longford Town. After a 1–0 victory in Galway and a 3–2 defeat in Longford, the tie was decided on a penalty shoot out, which ended in a 3–0 defeat and an end to the promotion bid for Mervue. The club later resigned from the League of Ireland soon later, but it continues to field over 20 teams at various levels.[2]
During 2013, discussions were held with Galway clubs, Mervue United and Salthill Devon along with the Galway Football Association and GUST, about having one unified team representing the county of Galway at the top level of Irish football as it was Football Association of Ireland's wish that one club should represent the city of Galway.[3] In late 2013, Galway F.C. was established.[4]
Ground
Mervue's home ground is Fahy's Field.[5] However, it did not meet League of Ireland requirements until the 2011 season, resulting in senior home games being played at Terryland Park.[6] This has left Mervue with little or no fan base, and attendances are estimated at being the lowest in the League of Ireland.[7] In the 2010 off-season, Mervue upgraded Fahy's Field to League of Ireland standard, meaning that 2011 season games could be played in Fahy's Field.[8]
