League Preview: Galway United -v- Derry City

GALWAY UNITED FC

It has taken four years but Galway United Football Club are back in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, and on Friday night at Eamonn Deacy Park, they play host to Derry City. Kickoff is at 7.45pm.

The Tribesmen’s path to the promised land has been a long and arduous one but make no mistake, Tommy Dunne’s team are here on merit, and here to stay.

Pre-season went as good as could be expected with wins over NUIG and Athlone Town, and a scoreless draw against Finn Harps. Perhaps, though, a game or two more wouldn’t have gone amiss, as new signing Sam Oji has yet to take to the field in a maroon jersey.

United are without Alex Byrne for Friday’s game as he carries over a suspension from last season. Killian Cantwell and goalkeeper Ger Hanley are out with injuries while left-back Marc Ludden is doubtful after he pulled up with a thigh injury in training. He will be assessed closer to kick off.

Ryan Manning’s departure is a big loss to the club, but there is still a talented young squad there and former Salthill Devon and Derry City forward Enda Curran has important boots to fill.    

With long-time fan President Michael D. Higgins in attendance on Friday night, Tommy Dunne is eager for the league to get going for his team, and the fans.

"We're eager to get back playing and straight into the league campaign. I was talking to some of our supporters and they just can't wait for us to get going again because it's a long break from November right through to the beginning of March.

DERRY CITY

The Candystripes has had a season to forget in 2014, despite reaching the FAI Cup final. The damage was done early on in the campaign as Roddy Collins’s side struggled for form and goals in the Dubliner’s short 13-game tenure. Club legend Peter Hutton replaced Collins and the former striker steadied the ship somewhat.

The season ended on a high for Derry but with no European football to speak of, Hutton failed to keep important players such as Michael Duffy, Rory Patterson and Barry Molloy.

That aside, pre-season went extremely well for City as they won all of their six games notching up 20 goals in the process.

There has been plenty of player movement inwards too. Former Northern Ireland U21 international Seanan Clucas was signed from Linfield, Anthony Elding (Ballinamallard United), Cillian Morrison (Cork City) and Shaun Patton (Finn Harps) will all play their football at the Brandywell this season.

For Friday’s game, Derry City will be without Seamus Sharkey, Shaun Kelly and Cillian Morrison through injury while Stephen Dooley, Mark Timlin and Ryan McBride are all suspended.

Speaking to Derrycity.net Hutton says he is focused on his team. However, he is wary of Galway’s young talent, especially midfielder Ryan Connolly and Galway’s top scorer last season Jake Keegan.

“They have decent quality throughout the team, Ryan Connolly, in particular is their main man. A lot of the good things come through him. They signed Jake Keegan again, the young American who scored plenty of goals last year in the First Division”  

With the visitors’ squad majorly depleted for various reasons, a resurgent Galway United side are in a great position to take an early season scalp.

Referee:Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Jake Keegan was Galway FC’s top scorer with 16 goals last season.

In the 2011 season, Galway United won once in 36 games.

Their one season in First Division aside, Derry City finished in the lower half of the Premier Division for first time in seven years last year.

BETTING

Galway United FC 29/20; Draw 9/4; Derry City 7/4

PREDICTION

Galway United FC 2-1 Derry City

Galway United FC

Injured:Kilian Cantwell (knee) Ger Hanley (Achilles problem)
Doubtful:Marc Ludden (thigh)
Suspended:Alex Byrne

Derry City

Injured: Shaun Kelly, Cillian Morrison, Boyle and Seamus Sharkey injured.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Stephen Dooley, Mark Timlin, Ryan McBride.