League Preview: Galway United -v- Shamrock Rovers

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to extend their winning run to three games when they host Shamrock Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 5pm).

Belief will be high amongst Phil Trill’s side as they prepare for the visit of Rovers with Galway coming into this game off the back of beating current league champions Shelbourne and President’s Cup champions Athlone Town in their last two games.

Jamie Erickson and Abbie Callanan scored to help Galway to a 2-1 win at Athlone Town Stadium before the international break to leave the Tribeswomen just three points off the top.

United will be bolstered by the return of Gemma McGuiness who missed out on the trip to Athlone having been sent off during their match against Shelbourne.

Rovers will be another strong challenge for Phil Trill’s side but United have shown that they have the ability to beat anyone so far this season.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Rovers will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Women’s Premier Division to five games when they face Galway United on Saturday evening.

The Hoops return to the Women’s Premier Division has been going to plan so far for Collie O’Neill with the only blot on their copybook so far a draw with last year’s league champions Shelbourne.

In their last fixture they saw off Wexford Youths at home, Jessica Gargan opened the scoring in the first half with Meabh Russell equalising midway through the second half.

Aine O’ Gorman popped up with the winner, not for the first time this season, to give the Hoops a 2-1 win over Youths.

"We were happy with the win, but I said at the time, I didn't think we played overly well on the night and that's still the case,” Shamrock Rovers manager Collie O’Neill said, speaking to the club’s website.

“There's loads of room for improvement and it's one of those that I look more at the performance than the actual result. Even though it was a win, it didn't really feel like it on the night because I know we're capable of so much more. On the positive side of it, it's still nice to get a win without actually playing to our best.

On Phil Trill’s start to life as manager of Galway United’s first ever side in the Women’s Premier Division Rovers’ boss said, “If you ask any manager, they’ll always look for improvement so I think he will be happy with their start but he’ll still be very confident looking at us and going ‘we can beat them’.

“I watched their games against Shelbourne and Athlone and they’re actually a very good side. Phil has them trying to play a good brand of football, so it’s going to be an interesting battle on Saturday night. It’s not going to be an easy one that’s for sure.”

There’s good news for Rovers as Republic of Ireland international Savannah McCarthy is available for selection having recovered from a serious knee injury picked up last year while playing for Galway WFC.

Referee: Oliver Moran

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers are unbeaten so far on their return to the Women’s Premier Division.

Galway United have beaten last year’s top two teams in their last couple of games – Shelbourne and Athlone Town. Both games were away from home.

Shamrock Rovers had three players on international duty in the USA in recent days with Aine O’Gorman, Alannah McEvoy and Abbie Larkin all in Vera Pauw’s most recent squad.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–2 Shamrock Rovers

Galway United

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Maria Reynolds

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.