Heroic Mervue United came agonisingly close to producing the shock result of the day when they held Sligo Rovers to a 1-1 draw in the first round of the Harp Lager FAI Cup at the Showgrounds yesterday.
Mervue stunned the home crowd by racing into a sensational lead after just four minutes and for much of a keenly-contested encounter, it looked as if that early strike would be enough to clinch a famous victory. But Sligo snatched the 67thminute equaliser their untidy performance scarcely deserved when striker Marcus Hallows forced the ball over the line in a crowded goalmouth.
Mervue soaked up all that Sligo had to offer and almost grabbed a second goal after 32 minutes but Henry Loughnane's shot was cleared off the line by Brian Southworth. Out of the blue, Sligo struck. Lally misjudged the flight of Neil Ogden's free kick, allowing Matt Hare to set Hallows up for a simple tap in.
Sligo Rovers: Broujos, Southworth, Hutchison, Reid, Cobesson, Hare, Jones, Odgen, Hallows, Flannery, Rowlands.
Mervue United: Lally, O'Sullivan, Brennan, Hegarty, Joyce, O'Connor, Mortimer, McDonnell, Loughnane, Keogh, Fallon. Subs: Goldby for Keogh (77 mins), McGrath for Brennan (89 mins). Referee: T Tully (Cork).
