Athlone Town -v- SD Galway

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town begin their 125th year of existence with a home tie against an SD Galway side that are embarking on their first season under their new name as well as having appointed a new manager and booked a new home venue.

Athlone boss Mike Kerley will be without four of his squad for the season opener with defender Paul Danaher carrying over a suspension from last season and Sean Geurins, Damien Rushe and Stephen Relihan all injured. Relihan may miss the rest of the season having suffered what looks to be a cruciate injury.

Athlone have had an unspectacular pre-season, losing 3-0 to Sligo Rovers but generally satisfying themselves with games against local opposition. That said, they do have the advantage of having already played a competitive fixture, losing 3-2 to UCD in the Leinster Senior Cup last Monday.

Speaking to the club’s website, Athlone assistant manager Padraig Moran said “I expect SD Galway to be very organised under Tony Mannion’s stewardship, and they will be a different prospect to last season”.

SD GALWAY

It’s a view shared by many onlookers with last season’s bottom placed team having enjoyed an extremely promising pre-season. Having narrowly lost out to FAI Cup holders and League runners-up, Sligo Rovers, Premier Division sides Drogheda United and Cork City both lost to Mannion’s side, while UCD could only manage a 2-2 draw at Drom last month.

“We are looking forward to the season”, said Mannion, “and can’t wait to get on the pitch at this stage. We have a young squad with quite a few inexperienced players, but we have added some experience in the close season. The pre-season training and the friendly games have gone well, so our big challenge now is to be competitive and play some attractive football along the way”.

Mikey Gilmore, Eugene Greaney and Sean Gavin will all be missing for the visitors as they serve suspensions carried over from last season, and Kieran Foley is out through injury.

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.

MATCH STATS

Athlone won two and drew one of their three league meetings with Salthill Devon last season.

SD Galway haven’t had a league win since they beat Wexford Youths on 5th August 2011. They lost eight and drew two of their last ten league fixtures last year.

Athlone have failed to score in five of their last six home games, while SD Galway haven’t won any of their last ten away fixtures in the league.

BETTING

Athlone 11/10; Draw 9/4; SD Galway 2/1.

PREDICTION

SD Galway to open with a win, 2-0.

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