League Preview: Galway FC v Longford Town

GALWAY FC

The excitement is building across the city and county of Galway as their main club prepare for the first competitive fixture in their history.

With a fairly positive pre-season now behind them, it's time for all involved to look ahead to the new league campaign and with their squad now finalised, all their endeavours can be poured into it.

No doubt, there are bound to be a few pre-season nerves still abound at Eamonn Deacy Park, but a win would be a positive start for Tommy Dunne's side and there's good reason to believe that they can actually achieve it.

Riding a wave of confidence after a series of big friendly wins over the likes of Sligo Rovers, Mervue United, Dundalk and Athlone Town means that there are very few opponents Galway are likely to fear.

Of course, pre-season can often be misleading so it’s still difficult to gauge their progress.

The absence of Stephen Walsh due to suspension, who scored the decisive goal against Athlone as well as netting an impressive hat-trick against Mervue, will be a big blow ahead of their Friday evening preparations.

But don't be surprised to see Galway adopt quite an attacking mentality from the get-go; they are on home soil and crave a big win to get the new regime off to the best possible start.

Nonetheless, Dunne is wary of their opponents. Speaking to galwayfc.ie ahead of the tie, the Galway boss said: "This is a very important game for us as Longford come here as the favourites for the Division and I don't think Tony will dispute that."

He added: "Longford will be up there challenging so it is up to our lads to make it difficult for them, but I believe we can do that because we have good, young, hungry players at our club."

LONGFORD TOWN

Ahead of the start of the new season, Longford are the firm favourites to bag the title.

With the likes of Shamrock Rovers B and Galway expected to challenge them for the league trophy, it's clear that Friday's clash is already quite a big deal.

A loss wouldn't be entirely disappointing, but don't expect Longford to lie down away from home.

Their pre-season form guide shows wins over Premier Division outfits Limerick FC as well as a scoreless draw against Drogheda United.

Of course, those results, as encouraging as they are, only show their form in friendly matches, so it's still difficult to gauge how prepared they are as a group.

Having drafted in Shamrock Rovers trio Stephen Rice, Pat Sullivan and Pat Flynn, Longford have bolstered their squad quite well.

Their added experience could prove the difference in staying the course this season and rising to the top and staying there – unlike last season's performance which saw them relinquish a nine point lead at one stage, but time will tell.

Tony Cousins' side have faced big crowds before and shouldn't be too perturbed by the occasion so expect them to push Galway all the way.

Referee: John McLoughlin

MATCH STATS

President of Ireland, and former Galway United club president, Michael D. Higgins is scheduled to be in attendance on Friday evening.

Galway head honcho, Dunne is facing a relative in the opposing dugout in the form of Longford boss Cousins.

BETTING

Gaway 13/8; Draw; 11/5; Longford 6/4

PREDICTION

Going on the pre-season guide, it's very difficult to call this one, and as it's the first match of the season, there's not an extraordinary amount on the line.

Granted, it would be psychologically good for either side to get a win but a loss wouldn't spell disaster either.

An intriguing encounter, but it will be their next three league meetings later in the season that should reveal more about them.

Galway team news: Derek O' Brien, Stephen Walsh & Ryan Manning are all suspended. Alan Murphy (ankle) Colm Horgan (hamstring) and Marty Owens (achilles) are doubtful. Meanwhile, Marc Ludden (groin) is unavailable.

Longford team news: Not Available