League Preview: Galway United -v- Waterford

Rob Manley scored twice for Galway United against Athlone Town

Rob Manley scored twice for Galway United against Athlone Town Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

GALWAY UNITED

First Division champions Galway United continue their lap of honour in the league when they welcome closest challengers Waterford to Eamonn Deacy Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Tribesmen come into the game off the back of a narrow FAI Cup semi-final loss against Bohemians on Saturday afternoon.

And while they exited the competition, their assistant Ollie Horgan hailed United for their efforts against the Gypsies.

“The endeavour and effort the lads put in all season and in the second-half (on Saturday) was second to none,” he said.

“It’s like a moral victory and it's no good to put it that way.

“They were small margins. Afolabi caused a lot of problems in the first half, second-half, I thought we dealt with him when we when we got further up the pitch.

“I think we lacked maybe that little bit of quality in pressurised situations in the last, you know, 15 minutes. You saw the way that Bohs killed the game up on the right-hand side with Danny Grant and Afolabi keeping the ball in there for five or six minutes.

“That comes with experience and the positive side of it is that we play Bohs four times next year and we've got to learn from that today.”

WATERFORD



Waterford boss Keith Long is hoping that his side can find their form ahead of the First Division play-off series due to begin later this month.

The Blues were well beaten to the title by Galway – and they were held by Wexford 0-0 on Friday night.

“We were disappointed not to have won the game [v Wexford] last time out but we were pleased with aspects of the game and another clean sheet,” Long told Waterford’s media team.

“We’ve been able to get Barry Baggley, Rowan McDonald and Harry Nevin back on the pitch following injury spells.

“It’s important that these boys are back fit as we go into the end of the season with big matches to play.

“We’ve been hard at work on the training ground since, playing in-house and getting more minutes into legs ahead of two away trips to Galway and Kerry, so we’re looking forward to getting back on the pitch this week.”



Giles Phillips is ruled out with a knock while Romeo Akachukwu is on international duty with the Ireland under-19s.

Referee: Oliver Moran.

 

PREDICTION

Galway United 2-0 Waterford

 

Galway United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: N/A.

 

Waterford

Injured: Giles Phillips.

Doubtful: None.

Unavailable: Romeo Akachuckwu.

Suspended: None.

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