League Preview: Galway United -v- Shamrock Rovers

 GALWAY UNITED 

Following the mid-season break, the Premier Division kicks back into action on the west coast with Galway United entertaining Shamrock Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday (kick off 7.45pm).

The Tribesmen's most recent victory came away to promotion bedfellows Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium earlier this month when New York-native Jake Keegan sealed the 1-0 result with a precise header.

No doubt United are keen to keep their good form going with another three points as they look to push into the top half of the table once again. Their aim will be to widen the gap between themselves and the struggling outfits towards the foot of the table.

Indeed, manager Tommy Dunne is up for the fight and insists his players are equally ready to avoid a repeat of the 3-0 defeat they suffered when they visited Tallaght Stadium back in April.

“It's a game we're all relishing,” said Dunne speaking to galwayunitedfc.ie. “We understand that we'll be up against it but we don't have any fear coming into the game. We need to be disciplined in what we do and we must continue to work hard for each other.

“We will have to go up a level against Shamrock Rovers to get a positive result, they’ll be hurting after losing to Bohemians (in their last game). We’ve got to concentrate on ourselves and above all else, we need to put in a strong performance in front of our own supporters.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Sitting comfortably in third spot, Shamrock Rovers are the favourites for this top-flight clash, but they do have a long line of key injuries to deal with plus the suspension of top scorer Mikey Drennan. Also, they have their upcoming Europa League qualifying first round tie away to Progres Niederkorn in Luxembourg to contend with in the coming days – a distraction that could very well unsettle them.

Combine this with the fact they lost their first league match of the year against Bohemians at Dalymount Park before the season interlude and it's clear all is not perfectly rosy in the Rovers set-up right now.

Speaking to Extratime.ie during the week however, Rovers 'keeper Craig Hyland addressed their 3-1 defeat to the Gypsies, and put it in context ahead of the tie.

"It was a poor result against Bohs and it is not nice to lose,” said Hyland. “In one way that will give us fuel for Friday and in another sense trying to go through the season unbeaten has been taken away from Dundalk and ourselves.

“I’m not saying the unbeaten run was on people’s mind in the first place but in the back of your mind you are thinking, we haven’t been beaten, let’s not lose the game. You want to bounce back straight away and we have that chance on Friday,” the shot-stopper concluded.

Hoops boss Pat Fenlon is also looking forward to the game. "Galway are a decent side this year, and we would expect a good game from them on Friday night,” said Fenlon speaking to shamrockrovers.ie.

“They have actually been a bit unlucky so far this season, and I think they are better than their league position would suggest. I enjoy going to play in Galway; the pitch is usually in good condition and they always seek to play football. I’m expecting the same tomorrow night, so it will be a tough test for us.” 

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)

MATCH STATS

This is set to be the 78^th league meeting between the two sides, with Rovers winning a total of 50 and Galway winning just six on home turf.

Perhaps ominously, the Corribsiders have lost their last nine league games in a row against the Hoops – the last time Galway beat them was back in 2006 – 20 games ago. A Derek O' Brien goal separated the sides on a final score-line of 1-0 back then in a game played in the First Division.

Intriguingly, Galway have yet to draw a league clash this season; it's been an all-or-nothing campaign in many respects.

BETTING

Galway 5/1; Draw 11/4; Rovers 4/7

PREDICTION

Dunne's charges have worked hard to transform their home patch into a testing environment for opponents with three wins from their last four home matches in all competitions. On the other hand, Rovers have just one win away from home in their last four games in all competitions. The signs point to a “surprise” Galway win.

Galway United

Injured: Andy O' Connell (foot)

Doubtful: Jason Molloy (back), Gary Shanahan (ankle), Antaine O' Laoi (hamstring)

Suspended: David O' Leary

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Max Blanchard (hamstring), Keith Fahey (knee), Conor Kenna (groin), Danny North (knee), Sean O' Connor (achilles)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Mickey Drennan

Don't forget this week's Extratime.ie Sportscast, featuring Liam Kearney, Simon Madden, Richie Towell and Collie O'Neill, is available here. You can also listen to the Extratime.ie Sportscast European Special here.