Mervue United 1 Dundalk 3:COMPETITIVE SINCE entering the harsh environs of the League of Ireland First Division at the outset of the year, Mervue United were especially keen to embrace FAI Cup football at Terryland Park yesterday evening.

Johnny Glynn has assembled a reasonable team, but ravaged by injuries there was some fear going into this tussle with Dundalk.

That trepidation wasn’t misplaced as Dundalk ruthlessly punished the anxious hosts in the opening quarter.

With Tiernan Mulvenna enterprising early on, Dundalk grabbed a third-minute lead when Ger Rowe prodded them ahead.

Unable to irk Dundalk, Mervue then fell further behind eight minutes in when Shaun Kelly rambled into the box to supply a sweet, right-footed finish as Mervue’s defensive inadequacies were exploited again.

Mervue persevered, and halved the deficit in the 64th minute when David Goldbey rifled Mark Ludden’s cross beyond Chris Bennion.

But Dundalk concluded the contest with a real flourish. Having dealt with Mervue’s burst of passion, Dundalk nicked another in the 80th minute as Declan O’Brien expertly headed home.

MERVUE UNITED: Martin; Curran, O’Rourke, Conneely, Ludden; Barrett, Browne, Traynor, Farrell (Crehan, 55); Lee (Gaffney, 41), Goldbey.

DUNDALK: Bennion; Coburn (Griffin, 28), Burns (McArdle, 73), Simon Kelly, Synott; Shaun Kelly (McGinley, 36), Heary, Turner, O’Brien; Mulvenna, Rowe.

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).