Preview: Galway United vs Derry City

• Alan Dooley
• Fri, Jul 25 2008




All it took was one win and hope now springs eternal for Galway United fans as their side looks to build on a critical victory in Bray last weekend. Derek Glynn's late winner means Galway are now the form side out of "The Four", having picked up four points in their last 180 minutes of action.

A positive result of any kind will do on Friday night as Derry City come to town. The Candystripes have always proved a tough proposition for the home side. Last season, when flloodlight failure almost saw the game postponed but ended in a narrow Galway win, was a rare triumph.

But Jeff Kenna has got his side playing with a steely determination that was missing for the first quarter of the season and they will enter the contest with renewed confidence. Luck also may have finally began to turn their way, whereas before it was always of the cruel variety. Kenna added a hitherto unseen range of passing to United's play at the Carlisle Grounds, and while the body may not be as willing, the brain of a top class player still motors on.

He will continue his stint at right back as Alan Keane's suspension continues. Galway's main worry will be staying injury free between now and the end of the season. And in particular keeping Derek Glynn fit and eager. With the right service he can threaten any defence, as has been seen in recent weeks. Alan Murphy has shown resolve for the battle at hand and will hope to continue to prove a point to those who doubted his worth.

Derry always travel west with confidence, though, backed by a history of good results and satisfactory journeys home. This game will be a prelude to a League Cup semi-final on Bank Holiday Monday, and if pushed to pick a game they'd prefer to win, I reckon Kenny's men would take the path to the Cup Final and an attempt at a record four-in-a-row.

Their recent results have been encouraging and Stephen Kenny is pleased that positive strides are being made, but a tilt at the League title depends on a major slip up by both of the top two. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility, but Derry look to lack a prolific goalscorer to sneak goals in tight games. Recent scoreless draws with Sligo Rovers and Bohemians spring to mind.

A lot could depend on whether Kenna believes in his squad enough to have a crack at Derry and leave themselves slightly vulnerable at the back, or play it solid and rely on Glynn to stretch his legs on the counter and continue his goalscoring run. It will be a stern test for the home side, but one they may relish ahead of a trip to Ballybofey where the real pressure will lie.