League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Galway United

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will be looking for their third win on the bounce when they host Galway United at United Park this evening.

The Boynesiders come into this game off the back of a 5-0 win away to league leaders Cabinteely, in a game that saw Chris Lyons net a hattrick while Stephen Meaney and Luke McNally also scored.

“The performances have been good, we just probably weren’t taking our chances in front of goal. I had said when it clicks, we’ll be able to put a few goals past someone.

“Everything went well for us last Saturday night. We defended well, Chris Lyons got a few great goals, Stephen Meaney a great goal aswell, we took our chances and ended up running out comfortable winners in the end,” Tim Clancy told the club’s media team.

Clancy is again expecting a tough game against Galway on Friday, having beat the Tribesmen 1-0 in Eamonn Deacy Park earlier in the season thanks to a Mark Doyle strike.

“They are always very competitive and the longer it stays level, the more they come into games. They had a good little run there where they won a couple of games.

“It’s repetitive, I keep saying it but there’s no easy games in this league and any team can beat anyone on their day so we have to right at it,” Clancy said.

Tim Clancy will again have to plan without the injured Adam Wixted, who had surgery earlier this week while Thomas Byrne remains unavailable and Paul Skinner is doubtful.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to bounce back from Monday’s defeat to Bray Wanderers when they take on Drogheda at United Park.

Shane Doherty had given Galway a first half lead before Hugh Douglas scored a brace for the Seagulls to claim all three points.

Prior to that 2-1 defeat, Galway were in a good run of form, picking up three of their four victories this season.

They came through a 4-0 win over Athlone and 2-0 and 2-1 wins over Wexford and Longford Town respectively.

Alan Murphy will be without the suspended Dara Costello following his red card in a recent 3-0 defeat to Shelbourne while Conor Layng and Andrew Peters miss out through injury.

Joshua Keane Quinlivan, who has scored four goals for Galway’s under-19 side this season, has signed a first team contract with the club and is available for the game against Drogheda.

Referee: Paula Brady.

MATCH STATS

The first meeting between the sides the season saw Mark Doyle’s 25th minute strike gave Drogheda all three points in Eamonn Deacy Park.

The last three meetings between these sides at United Park have all ended 2-2.

BETTING

Drogheda United 1/2; Draw 3/1; Galway United 4/1.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-1 Galway United

Drogheda United

Injured: Adam Wixted, Thomas Byrne.

Doubtful: Paul Skinner.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: Conor Layng, Andrew Peters.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Dara Costello.