A cracker of a game was served up by two teams who know how to play football the right way, as an eight goal thriller was played out at Fahy’s Fieldin this Richard Quinn Youth League game on Sunday morning in Mervue.

Salthill opened the scoring through Dara Duggan and they soon found themselves two up after a defensive mix-up between Phillip Ryan and keeper Shane Kelly saw the ball end up in the back of the net.

The home side didn’t panic though and they got themselves back into the game just before half time. A Dan Cunningham corner kick was met at the near post by Pat Hoban who flicked his effort past the Salthill keeper to leave it 2-1 at the break.

Mervue got themselvesback on level terms shortly after the re-start when a lovely through ball by Hoban found Enda Curran and he held of the challenge of the defender before firing past the visiting keeper for 2-2.

With the game now in full flow and swinging from end to end, Salthill’s Daryl Horgan opened up the home defence once again as he set up Dara Duggan who fired his effort past Shane Kelly into the far corner for his second goal of the game.

Minutes later and the home side were back on level terms again as Mike Elwood headed a Curran free kick into the path of Paul Scally who poked home the equaliser for 3-3. Keith Lee then had a great chance to put the home side in front but missed with his effort as Mervue looked to be finishing the game the stronger.

Mervue put their heads in front for the first time in the game when substitute James Casserely powerfully headed home another Huban free kick for 4-3. But once again Salthill responded well and Ronan Forde finished off a goal mouth scramble following a corner kick to tie matters at 4-4.

Mervue though continued to create several good chances to collect all three points but couldn’t convert any of them. Another excellent Dan Cunningham delivery found Enda Curran who hit his effort straight at the Salthill keeper. Another Hoban ball released Billy Lane down the left wing and he cut inside the defender before unleashing a cracking effort which bent around the keeper only to hit the inside of the post and roll across the face of the goal before being cleared. Right at the end of the game another dangerous Cunningham cross just evaded the in rushing Hoban as all it needed was touch from the midfielder.

In the end a share of the points was a fair result with both sides playing some lovely football throughout a very entertaining game that was excellently referred by Danny Corbett.