Galway looking to break Connor jinx
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Galway United are tonight looking to do something they have never managed before - beat a team managed by Sean Connor.
Since Connor's arrival at Sligo Rovers in September 2006, he has prepared sides on seven occasions to take on The Tribesmen in league encounters and has never ended up on the losing side - winning four and drawing three.
Connor guided Sligo to the First Division crown in 2005 and along the way they faced Galway on four occasions. An early season victory at Terryland thanks to goals from Carlos Alvarez was followed by a 4-1 hammering at The Showgrounds in June. Another win in Galway seemed on the cards until one of Connor's favourite sons, Liam Burns, intervened with an OG.
The last encounter of that campaign also finished in a 1-1 draw as Colin Fortune's second-half equaliser rescued a point for Galway. By the time Connor was next to cross swords with Galway in 2007 he had landed, somewhat conroversially, in the Bohemians hot-seat. Three league meetings provided seven points for the Belfast native's squad, who eventually finished third.
An early Alan Murphy free-kick at Dalymount Park (the only time United have been in front against Connor's sides) was cancelled out by Owen Heary's late strike. The other games proved less testing as Glen Crowe's strike proved decisive in Terryland, while Chris Turner got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win in October.
So can a Galway United squad high on confidence after last week's triumph buck this trend? Does Connor have a secret method for taking on the men in maroon and white? An intriguing ninety minutes action awaits in Terryland Park this evening.
Since Connor's arrival at Sligo Rovers in September 2006, he has prepared sides on seven occasions to take on The Tribesmen in league encounters and has never ended up on the losing side - winning four and drawing three.
Connor guided Sligo to the First Division crown in 2005 and along the way they faced Galway on four occasions. An early season victory at Terryland thanks to goals from Carlos Alvarez was followed by a 4-1 hammering at The Showgrounds in June. Another win in Galway seemed on the cards until one of Connor's favourite sons, Liam Burns, intervened with an OG.
The last encounter of that campaign also finished in a 1-1 draw as Colin Fortune's second-half equaliser rescued a point for Galway. By the time Connor was next to cross swords with Galway in 2007 he had landed, somewhat conroversially, in the Bohemians hot-seat. Three league meetings provided seven points for the Belfast native's squad, who eventually finished third.
An early Alan Murphy free-kick at Dalymount Park (the only time United have been in front against Connor's sides) was cancelled out by Owen Heary's late strike. The other games proved less testing as Glen Crowe's strike proved decisive in Terryland, while Chris Turner got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win in October.
So can a Galway United squad high on confidence after last week's triumph buck this trend? Does Connor have a secret method for taking on the men in maroon and white? An intriguing ninety minutes action awaits in Terryland Park this evening.
About Alan Dooley
is one of Extratime's longest serving contributors. Based in County Galway, Alan has been following the League of Ireland since the mid-1980s. His first memory of the drama of domestic football was Vinny Arkins, then … View Full Profile