Mervue United join the eircom League big guns for the fifth time in their history in the Senior FAI Cup after they defeated current FAI Junior cup holders, Ballymun Utd, at Terryland Park last Saturday evening in a replay. Mervue Utd 4 Ballymun Utd 3 (on Penalties) It took the dreaded penalty shoot-out to separate these two sides in the end as the game finished 0-0 after extra-time with both defences giving very little away on the night while both goalkeepers were in excellent form as they proved equal to anything that came their way. With very few clear-cut scoring chances being created, the game proved to be a very tight affair just like the previous week's meeting where the sides drew 1-1 in Dublin. The first real chance arrived on eleven minutes when Ballymun's Marcus Cowzer ran onto a through ball but his effort was well blocked by the advancing Darren Roche in the Mervue goal and the keeper also produced an excellent block from the resulting rebound. Mervue looked the more composed side and they began to get on top as the game progressed with Ollie Neary and Benny Lawless looking dangerous when in possession. Mervue's free kicks from Seamie Rabbitte were also dangerous and Ballymun's keeper David Conroy had to be on his toes on a couple of occasions to prevent Rabbitte repeating his excellent free kick from the previous week. Mervue's best chance arrived right on half time as Derek Lally released Benny Lawless down the left and his excellent cross to the back post found James Walsh unmarked but he shot over with the goal at his mercy. The second half proved to be much the same as the first with chances limited at both ends as both defences were well on top. James Walsh and Mick Tolan had shots on target but both were well saved by Ballymun keeper David Conroy and Conroy was the hero again when he saved brilliantly at the feet of David Goldbey after he was put through by Henry Loughnane's excellent pass. The best chance of the second half arrived five minutes from the end when Ballymun sub, Barry Kavanagh, turned brilliantly in the box and his shot looked to be heading into the top corner but Mervue keeper, Darren Roche, produced the save of the game as he somehow managed to beat the ball away to safety and ensure extra time. The extra period failed to break the stalemate, leaving penalties to decide the winner. Mervue's Ollie Neary, Henry Loughnane, Collie Ridge and David Golbey all scored penalties as did Ballymun's Gary McCormack, Paul Kane and Richard Kelly, but Chris Hamilton gave Mervue the advantage as his spot kick struck the post. Seamie Rabbitte only needed to score the last Mervue penalty to put them through but he blazed his kick over the bar to let Ballymun off the hook. The reprieve was temporary as Barry Kavanagh's spot kick was brilliantly saved by Darren Roche to send Mervue into the second round and a possible draw with one of the eircom league's big guns. Mervue Utd: Darren Roche, Alan Kane, Mick Toolan, Seamie Rabbitte, Ger McGrath, James Walsh, Ollie Neary, Derek Lally, Benny Lawless, Luther Watson, David Golbey. Subs: Henry Loughnane for Lawless, Collie Ridge for David Golbey. Ballymun Utd: David Conroy, Chris Hamilton, Chris Madden, Martin Kelly, Alan Curtis, Richard Kelly, Mark Devlin, Derek Moore, Paul Kane, Marcus Cowzer, Stephen Hanna. Subs: Gary McCormack and Barry Kavanagh. A2ZSoccer will be covering the draw for the next round of the FAI Cup live on Monday evening from 6.30pm at the Citywest Hotel.
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