League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Galway United

Sligo Rovers welcome Connaught rivals Galway United FC to the Showgrounds this Monday night. After losing their first two matches to Dublin clubs Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians, Sligo manager Dave Robertson will be hoping it's third time lucky for him and his team. Galway on the other hand are currently sitting top of the Premier Division after comprehensive wins over Bray Wanderers and St Patrick’s Athletic in their opening two matches of the new season.

SLIGO ROVERS

Rovers will again be without the suspended duo of Craig Rodden and Kieran Sadlier. Raff Cretaro comes back into the squad after missing the Bohs match due to the flu.

Speaking to the Bit O'Red’s official website before the game, manager Robertson said; “There are lots of positives, we are going to keep ourselves going. We are very confident and we believe that we are playing our football in the right way. It’s about making sure that we maintain that confidence and belief in us doing the right things and I’ve spoken to the players about that today.

“We have to take that into tomorrow night’s game and make sure that we play the game the right way. But it is also important that we put points on the board and those are the conversations that we have had. We are creating opportunities and when we are doing that I will be happy.

“In the two games we have been done by wonder strikes. Brandon Miele I don’t think will hit a better free-kick all season and Kurtis Byrne won’t score a better goal. Our luck has got to change at some stage but the way I look at it you have to make your own luck and you do that by working hard and working smart. I feel that we have done that.

“It’s no coincidence for me that with our conditioning we are one of the few squads that even though we played with ten men and nine men in the first game that we have a fully fit squad available"

GALWAY UNITED FC

Galway have made a dream start to the new Premier Division season and manager Tommy Dunne will hoping for three more points against Sligo Rovers.

Speaking to the Galway official website ahead of the game Dunne said; "The games are coming thick and fast and we have to manage the squad, I felt we performed reasonably well against Bray Wanderers. It's nice to have the option to change one or two things on Monday night if we need to.

“There will be a big crowd at the Showgrounds and I'm sure another noisy away support will make the journey from Galway also. It's a game to look forward to for players and fans alike. Sligo haven't picked up any points yet, they've had two tough games against Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.

“Nothing changes for us. We're going to Sligo to continue what we've started. We're not getting carried away. We know we're going to have to work hard to get anything from the game. Dave Robertson has assembled a good group of players with experience and young talent mixed together. We've a tough task against them, but there is a bit of confidence in the players and we're looking forward to the game.

“I expect Sligo to be up for it, they've been flicking between two systems, so it will be interesting to see how they will line out against us. They've a few very good technical players like Jimmy Keohane and experience in Gavin Peers and Tim Clancy. They're a strong outfit, but we have belief and confidence that we can continue our run in Sligo."

Referee: Dave McKeon

MATCH FACTS

When Rovers beat Galway United 7-1 in October 2011 at The Showgrounds it was the biggest home win since 1967. That was also a 7-1 victory against St. Pat’s.

Galway’s relegation and exit from the league of Ireland in 2011 meant that there was no Connacht Derby played at The Showgrounds for 1,373 days. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with both goals scored in the 16th minute. Sligo Rovers’ former player Ryan Connolly scored first but Dinny Corcoran scored the level the game as he had also done away to Galway in a win at Eamonn Deacy Park earlier in the season.

Almost exactly 20 years ago was the last league win for Galway United in The Showgrounds. It was on March 16^th during the 1995-96 season with a 2-0 win. There have been 18 games between the teams in The Showgrounds since.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 5/4; Draw 11/5; Galway United 21/10.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 1 – 1 Galway United

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Craig Rodden, Kieran Sadlier

Galway United

Injured: Armin Aganovic, Marc Ludden

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.