League Preview: Limerick FC -v- Galway United
High flying Limerick will take on the challenge of bottom club Galway United in a pulsating clash in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the Market’s Field on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
LIMERICK
Managerless Limerick will look to continue their recent good form in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division when they host struggling Galway United. The Super Blues hope to recover from their second consecutive 3-0 defeat at home at the hands of all conquering Cork City this time in the 2nd Round of the EA Sports Cup last Monday night.
The Shannonsiders have won 3 of their last 4 league games with impressive away wins over Bray Wanderers (0-1) and St. Patrick’s Athletic (0-2) and an emphatic 3-0 win over Drogheda at the Market’s Field last Saturday evening. This string of results has culminated in Limerick moving up to 4th in the league table and whispers of European football have emanated from this.
The Super Blues caretaker boss Willie John Boland is understandably pleased with the positive response of the players since the departure of ex-manager Martin Russell and will be hopeful that his side can maintain the level of performance and get another 3 points at home tomorrow evening.
GALWAY UNITED
Galway United will make the tough trip south to take on near neighbours Limerick in a game where the Tribesmen need to come back to the West with a positive result. Galway United produced arguably their best performance of the season last Monday night in the EA Sports Cup 2nd Round with a 2-0 win over Derry City at Eamon Deasy Park thanks to goals from Kevin Devaney and Vinny Faherty.
The Tribesmen are desperate for a league win having failed to register a victory after 8 bites at the cherry. Galway United have only lost 2 of their last 6 league games to Shamrock Rovers at home (1-2) and away to in-form Bray Wanderers 1-0 at the Carlisle Grounds.
Galway United boss Shane Keegan is under no illusions going into this encounter with Limerick and expects a major challenge telling www.galwayunitedfc.ie, “Given the form that Limerick are in, and how they played against Drogheda United, outside of Cork City and Dundalk, they’re probably the toughest test around at the moment.”
However, Keegan was quick to point out that his side will not be going there just to make up the numbers. “We’re going down there with every belief that we can go and get the win.”
The Tribesmen boss Keegan feels his side have been putting in good displays but faces a bit of a selection conundrum having made 8 changes to the side on Monday evening saying; “There is brilliant competition for places, on Friday against St. Patrick’s Athletic and Derry City on Monday, it was two games we gave a good account of ourselves.”
Galway United boss Keegan also has some injury headaches ahead of the trip to the Mid-West with Maurice Nugent, Declan Sharkey and Jesse Devers all out through injury while there are doubts over the availability of Padraic Cunningham and Paul Sinnott who both face late fitness tests.
Referee: Sean Grant
MATCH FACTS
Limerick and Galway United last met competitively in last season’s EA Sports Cup with the Super Blues running out 2-0 winners at the Market’s Field on route to the final.
Limerick and Galway United have met each other on 20 occasions in all competitions since 2002 with Galway United winning 14 times with 4 wins for Limerick and 2 draws.
Limerick scored 21 goals averaging a total of just over 1 goal per game while Galway United scored 42 goals averaging 2.1 goals per game.
BETTING
Limerick 4/6 Draw 12/5 Galway United 4/1
PREDICTION
Limerick 3-1 Galway United
Limerick
Injured: NA
Doubtful: NA
Suspended: NA
Galway United
Injured: Maurice Nugent, Declan Sharkey, Jesse Devers
Doubtful: Padraic Cunningham, Paul Sinnott
Suspended: None
