St Patricks Athletic vs Galway United

• Gareth Penrose
• Fri, Sep 05 2008




St Patrick’s Athletic will play host to Galway United on Friday in Richmond Park (kick-off 19:45). St Pat’s will be looking to try and close the gap of 10 points between themselves and Bohs, however St Pat's manager John McDonnell is facing an injury nightmare.

McDonnell is missing Dessie Byrne (suspended), Dave Rogers (hamstring), Joe O'Cearuill (groin), Gary Dempsey (toe), John Murphy (back), Bobby Ryan (shoulder) and Gary O'Neill (groin).

The Saints also have doubts over Stephen Paisley and Keith Fahey who both picked up knocks in Tuesday's Setanta Sports Cup game with Linfield in Windsor Park.

Jason Gavin sat that game out having played for Drogheda United earlier in the competition and comes back into contention. Dave Partridge is also available for selection after a long period out with a wrist injury while Derek O'Brien may start after two substitute appearances against Elfsborg and Linfield.

On the injuries McDonnell told stpatsfc.com that most are not serious:

"The games are coming thick and fast and beginning to take their toll on the squad but thankfully most of these injuries are short-term.

"We now face into a difficult few days with three games in six days - Galway on Friday, Bohs on Monday and Sporting Fingal in the Cup on Thursday.

"Friday night's game will be tough. Galway played well against us in a 2-2 draw earlier in the season, they're fighting for points and they'll put it up to us."

Galway United manager Jeff Kenna will be looking for a drastic improved performance from last weekend's defeat to Cobh Ramblers.

United's squad is boosted with the return of John Lester from suspension however winger Jay O'Shea misses out now serving a one match ban.

Alan Keane could be included in the squad. He has a fitness test early on Friday morning. Ollie Fenn is back training however he won't feature.

After last weeks disappointing defeat to Cobh Ramblers manager Jeff Kenna says his players know what's required. "I will be looking for an immediate reaction after last weeks result and the players are fully aware that a drastic improvement is needed"

Extratime Prediction: Despite the long list of injury worries for O’Donnell, we suspect a number of the players will feature, and will have too much for bottom of the table Galway. We think Pats will come away with a 2-0 win over the Tribesmen.