Preview: Galway United vs Cork City

Alan Matthews brings his unbeaten Cork City side to Terryland Park on Friday night for a clash with bottom of the table Galway Utd that both sides have to win for different reasons.

Cork haven’t suffered a loss thus far, but with four draws out of five, Matthews will be aware that wins are now needed as a six point gap has opened up between themselves and leaders Derry City. Indeed, if it wasn’t for a dubious penalty converted by Dave Mooney that accounted for UCD, the Rebels could well have been winless yet undefeated.

The goals have not yet flowed for the Leesiders, with Mooney and the enigmatic George O’Callaghan the only ones to find the net so far in the league. This statistic will need to change rapidly if the Cup holders are to pose a serious title challenge this year.

Galway finally got a win under their belts on Tuesday night with a comfortable 2-0 win against a second string Longford line-up. Goals have proven harder to come by against classier opposition, but the return to the squad this week of Derek Glynn and Stephen O’Flynn should invigorate their attack.

Just as the long injury list, something the Tribesmen weren’t accustomed to last season, began to shorten, further casualties emerged from the League Cup encounter. Derek O’Brien limped off with a hamstring injury, while John Russell, arguably Utd’s best player thus far, has fractured a bone in his hand. Ciaran Foley and Marc McCulloch are also rated as doubtful, with Wes Charles struggling to overcome a flu bug.

Sunderland’s Roy O’Donovan bagged a double when Cork won here last year. Galway fared better at Turners Cross, as they came away with two draws. However, these points were gained on the back of defensive displays where they successfully kept clean sheets. A more adventurous tactic will be needed this time if they are to gain their first league win of the season.