League Preview: Galway United -v- Finn Harps

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United have made a very promising start to their second top-flight campaign in succession. The endemic ‘second season syndrome' hasn’t seemed to engross Tommy Dunne’s men, with their brand of slick attacking football winning them plenty of plaudits and points.

The only major blemishes to the Tribemens’ record this season have been the defeats on the road against Shamrock Rovers and Derry City, both games that they could and probably should have picked up points from.

Their home form has been unerring so far this campaign in league terms with wins gained at home to Bray Wanderers and Bohemians.

Manager Tommy Dunne, though, has warned his team to not take their good start or their visitors for granted.

He said: "Finn Harps have started the season reasonably well. They're picking up results. They're there or thereabouts in every match they've played in, so from our point of view, we're under no illusions in regards to the toughness of the game.”

Galway’s good form has had much to do with the fact that they’ve gotten a very settled and hard-working unit. John Sullivan and skipper Ryan Connolly have been probably the most impressive midfield pairing in the country this year, while Gary Shanahan, Stephen Folan and Vinny Faherty have all been major influences for Dunne’s men this campaign.

Conor Winn and Stephen Folan were among the absentees for last Friday night’s defeat in Tallaght. Kevin Horgan and Killian Cantwell did well when deputising for the pair, but should Winn and Folan regain full fitness for tomorrow night’s match, like they are expected to, then they should reclaim their place in the starting line-up.

Winn though feels that he will be under pressure to reclaim his place from Kevin Horgan, such was the impact the young stopper made when playing between the sticks in Tallaght last weekend.

“Kevin Horgan has pushed me all through pre-season, I wouldn't be doing as well as I was if it wasn't for him. Connor Gleeson and Aaron Dillon are also pushing hard. Kevin had a great game last week against Shamrock Rovers.

“I'm still hoping I play against Finn Harps, but it will be hard after his performance last week. There is serious competition in every position.”

FINN HARPS

Last Friday’s game against St. Patrick’s Athletic had to be postponed due to a flooded surface at Finn Park. This means Friday’s trip to Galway to face the Tribesmen represents an opportunity for Harps to extend their unbeaten record in all competitions to four games since their defeat to Shamrock Rovers just over three weeks ago.

Galway native and Harps boss Ollie Horgan was disappointed that last weekend’s game was postponed: “Everyone was disappointed that game couldn't go ahead but there is no point worrying about something that is out of our hands.”

Horgan’s men have already left the Connacht province with points this season having gained a well-deserved point in their infamous visit to Sligo Rovers. Damien McNulty’s superb second half finish before the floodlights failed saw them pick up a valuable point late on at the Showgrounds.

Harps would have reckoned that Eamon Deacy Park would be venue that points could be picked up at prior to the season. Both sides were tipped to struggle at the season’s offset, however, they’ve both seemingly exceeded expectations with their impressive starts.

For Harps though it will be about continuing to pick up points and they’ll be quietly confident of achieving that, even if Ollie Horgan is continuing to be dismissive of his team’s quality.

Horgan said: “We have played Galway six times since they came back into the league and still haven’t beaten them. They have improved again since then so we will have a very difficult game ahead of us.”

Friday’s meeting will be the first of two meetings at the Galway venue in the space of 10 days. The pair will meet again on Monday week in the EA Sports Cup second round.

REFEREE: Jim McKell.

MATCH STATS

Friday night’s match will be the 65^th meeting of the clubs in all competitions, with 34 of the previous meeting being played at Galway venues. The Tribemen hold the upper hand in terms of victories, 25-20.

Harps have won none of their last ten matches against Galway United in all competitions, and they suffered three 3-0 demolitions in the duration of that run.

The last meeting of the two sides came in the first round of last season’s FAI Cup at Eamon Deacy Park. Goal from Pádraic Cunningham, Gary Shanahan and the now departed Jake Keegan saw Tommy Dunne’s team move forward in the Cup at the expense of their west-coast compatriots, 3-2.

MATCH BETTING

Galway United 5/6; Draw 23/20; Finn Harps 7/2.

PREDICTION

Galway United 2-1 Finn Harps

GALWAY UNITED

Injuries: Armin Aganovic (knee).

Doubtful: Stephen Folan (toe), Kevin Devaney (ankle) & Alex Byrne (groin).

Suspension: None.

FINN HARPS

Injuries: Barry Molloy (knee), Sean Houston (hamstring) & Josh Mailey.

Doubtful: Ciaran Coll & Ryan Curran.

Suspended: None.