Coffey and Mernagh could make the difference for Athlone in derby clash

Last May"s heavy defeat to Longford probably still rankles with Athlone Town, but the "Westmeath Independent" soccer correspondent KEVIN O"NEILL wonders if it"s two players recently recruited to bolster Athlone"s squad, two players who had nothing to do with that fateful May evening in Flancare Park, who could make all the difference come Friday evening. ATHLONE Town have this week been speaking of atoning for a desperate performance when they last met Midlands rivals Longford Town. On that occasion, a blustery Saturday evening in May, Athlone travelled to Flancare Park and left with nothing only shattered pride. Dermot Lennon"s men were convincingly brushed aside by an equally average Longford on a 3-0 scoreline and some Athlone fans wondered if things would ever pick up this season. The word from the Athlone camp this week is of a determined lot, eager to avenge that embarrassing result, and there"s also been quite a lot of commotion at Flancare Park in recent weeks, with a host of injuries and players being released, meaning the Longford team which takes the field this Friday could be a shadow of the side Athlone succumbed to last May. Indeed, there"s been a steady wind of change in both squads since that May evening, when Longford fielded six former Athlone players and thoroughly deserved victory. And the two Athlone players referred to above who could make a big difference on Friday evening are Ian Coffey and Johnny Mernagh. They have injected a new lease of life into Athlone"s attack in recent weeks, and although judgement must be reserved on both players until further into the campaign, Athlone supporters will look towards the quick and decisive duo for inspiration. Much could depend on the system of play deployed by both managers. Longford manager Aaron Callaghan is likely to be cautious after two straight defeats to fellow strugglers Monaghan Utd and Wexford Youths, the latter of which, in particular, could have a profound impact on Longford"s confidence. Callaghan is likely to second guess Lennon and field a 4-5-1 system, with the emphasis on going like for like with Athlone in midfield and relying heavily on the bustling qualities of target man forward Darren McKenna. The tie could rely on Lennon"s ambition and whether he has the conviction to start the game with two recognised forwards - Ian Coffey and Johnny Mernagh. Coffey has only started six matches since breaking through from Athlone"s youth team and although he has failed to score to date, his quality is there for all to see. The young Tubberclair whipper snapper is unfazed by League of Ireland football. His neat touch allayed with his positional sense and ability to pick the right pass, means that in recent months Athlone have unearthed one of the First Division"s finest prospects. Since debuting against Sporting Fingal in mid-May, Coffey appears to have nudged ahead of 21-year-old fellow striker Noel McGee in Dermot Lennon"s selection policy, while the impact of a now 37-year-old Eric Lavine in Athlone"s attack this season must be honestly described as minimal. Like all good strikers, Coffey"s movement makes him a menace and creates numerous difficulties for defenders. And while it"s perhaps unwise to ship too much responsibility onto his 17-year-old shoulders at this stage, the reality of Athlone"s current predicament is that Coffey does indeed bear the burden of many of Athlone"s hopes. With Longford struggling for recognised defenders following an injury to centre-back Andy Bermingham and the release of Ryan O"Donnell, a combination of Coffey and the recently signed Johnny Mernagh could prove too much to handle for a makeshift Longford defence, which will include former Athlone defender Ronan Frawley. Left-back Ryan Casey, another former Athlone player, is also ruled out of Longford"s team this weekend, and Johnny Mernagh has shown during his opening couple of matches for Athlone that he possesses the type of pace and movement which could give First Division defenders serious palpitations. Mernagh started last Thursday"s match with Dundalk as Athlone"s sole striker and carried that responsibility with some maturity. It"s hoped Mernagh"s arrival will also bring about a resurgence in Noel McGee, the highly talented forward who has been in and out of form and the first-team this season. McGee"s recent goal against Wexford Youths reminded everyone of his undoubted craft and guile in front of goal, and there"s no reason why he can"t also play a significant role on Friday if called upon. With Davy Byrne having completed a transfer to Finn Harps, Athlone"s lack of physicality in midfield could be a problem, but one thing is for sure, Longford"s defence will have heard about Coffey and Mernagh. But will they receive first-hand evidence of their prowess on Friday? The answer will be known come 9.30 Friday night.