League Preview: Galway United -v- Shelbourne

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to claim a scalp against Shelbourne on Friday night when they host the Reds (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

The Tribesmen drew against Waterford last weekend but have won just once in their previous six league outings. 

But their victory came against Derry City away from home and boss John Caulfield is wary that his side need to take their chances. 

“It’s a challenge but it’s something that we wanted,” Caulfield told Galway Bay FM last weekend. “We’re well in there and we’re battling hard. 

“But we obviously know that we need to improve. A lot of our guys have been in the First Division for a time and you need to step up. 

“I feel that they have done well but finding and creating chances is tougher and we need to put that right.”

SHELBOURNE 

Shelbourne keeper Conor Kearns insists Galway United should have more points on the board this season. 

Kearns was previously on the books of Galway before joining Shels ahead of the 2023 season. 

But he has been impressed with his former club following their promotion to the Premier Division and reckons that the league leaders have a stiff test ahead of them.  

“They should have had more points; even looking back at our game, 1-0 last month, they probably felt they could’ve come away with something,” Kearns said. 

“They’ve adapted to the Premier Division as well as any newly promoted team I’ve ever seen. 

“Everyone knows the way they play— incredibly hard-working, they don’t give anything easily. We’re going to have to work hard. 

“You need to be at your best to get a win there, we know that. We’ve shown we can win, but we’ve also learned that it’s not going to come easy.”

Referee: Damien MacGraith. 

PREDICTION 

Galway United 1-1 Shelbourne 

Galway United

Injured: N/A. 

Doubtful: N/A. 

Suspended: None. 

Shelbourne

Injured: None. 

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None.