No divided loyalties in Gorman household ahead of Letterkenny Rovers' Mervue test

Letterkenny Rovers go to Mervue United on Saturday in the FAI Junior Cup where former star Gareth Gorman will be an interested spectator along the perimeter. 

Gorman - a  former Finn Harps, Derry City, Sligo Rovers and Galway United player - managed the famous Galway outfit for five seasons.  

Another Rovers and League of Ireland legend, Anthony Gorman is, of course, Gareth’s bother.

He is now part of the Letterkenny backroom team under boss Stephen McConnell and they’ve watched the side start their First Division campaign of the Donegal League in real style. 

So far, from their nine games, they’ve won eight and drawn one. They are two points off leaders Donegal Town.  

But you can be sure there’ll have been attempts there in the lead-in to Saturday’s huge FAI Junior Cup clash to source some relevant information on Rovers’ opponents at the weekend. 

Gareth Gorman has made Galway his home since 1997 and a little like Rovers, he says that Mervue are looking to rescale those dizzy heights of the not-too-distant past.

“I was in charge there for five seasons, right up until the Covid pandemic hit,” Gareth told DonegalLive. “I’ve wee lads playing now so that juggle, looking after them, meant I had to step away. 

“Mervue are a huge club. Aaron Connolly came up through the ranks here. They’ve won a lot over the years. They are probably going through a wee spell where they aren’t at the level they once were. 

“But they are a young outfit and they are really giving lads a chance to play. They’ll be hard opposition for Rovers. It was great to see them come out of the hat. I actually watched Rovers before Christmas and I was impressed. 

“I think Letterkenny being back in the Donegal League is a boost to the league. The Ulster Senior League, for the last three or four years, was sort of just hanging on. 

“I’ve been about the block but there has always been good players produced in Donegal. I think both Rovers and Cockhill have a great chance this season in this competition. As well as Anthony, I’ve two nephews involved, Zach and Joel.

“Anthony has been on the phone surely! But when it gets to this stage, a lot of those games go to penalties. And it might well have to go to the wire this time out to separate them”.  

Anthony Gorman explains that Rovers will set off early on Saturday and that 500km round trip will be made on the day. But he hopes he’s armed with enough information now that the side will depart Galway late Saturday evening still in the cup. 

“Gareth’s been down there a lifetime now - it’s home for him,” Anthony Gorman said. “Between Galway United and Mervue, he knows that scene so well. When the draw was made I was on the phone right away. 

“He’d watched them the week previously against Salthill but he also watched us so maybe he’s hedging his bets! Seriously though, he’s been a big help the last few weeks as we’ve tried to prepare”. 

Rovers are having things mostly their own way domestically but Mervue, on the road, is a serious step up. And it’s a game Anthony Gorman also expects to go right to the wire. 

“It’s a serious level. We found that out in the last round when we went to Wexford to play Northend United. You’re talking about big, strong and physically developed teams. 

“We are a young side but the likes of Christy Conaghan, Chris Malseed and Mark Anthony McGinley; their experience is vital to us.  

“I know people from the outside looking in might think the Donegal League First Division has been an easy ride for us. 

But it’s been anything but. We haven’t had one easy game. And I think that’s a credit to the teams in the league. Donegal Town, Bonagee and Gweedote United are right behind us, it’s still all to play for”.