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Derry City -v- Galway United
- P.J. Murray
- Tue, Sep 01 2009
A faltering Galway side will travel to a Derry team facing pay cuts with highly publicised off field problems on Tuesday night at the Brandywell with a 7.45pm kick off.
Derry are currently struggling to cope with pay cuts and deferrals, however the players have accepted the current situation to a degree and even though they are going through a tough period they have been told they will receive their money. Like Cork they may use their financial troubles to galvanise their on field performance and will most likely be backed by a strong partisan Derry crowd.
Recent Meetings
The sides have met three times this season with both sides recording a win and a draw the third result. Advantage currently lies with the Candystripes as they recorded a three nil win in Terryland back in May after being knocked out of the EA Sports cup by Ian Foster’s side a few weeks earlier.
Relegation Contenders?
After a bright start to the season the loss of Jay O’Shea among others has seen Galway slide slowly but ominously toward the lower regions of the table. They are currently five points clear of the playoff zone and depending on other results they may only be three points clear come the end of the night.
Having fought bravely to stay in the Premier Division last season it would be a major blow for the Tribesmen to go down this season.
European Prospects
Derry on the other hand have their eyes set firmly on a spot in Europe, they are currently joint third along with Cork and a win would close the gap to Rovers. The money generated from another European campaign for Derry would be invaluable to the clubs survival.
Recent Form
Galway were unlucky to lose 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers on Friday night, the home side battled well but were undone by a set piece. They have to go back to the 31st of July for their last league win, that coming with a 1-0 victory at home to Sligo Rovers. Incidentally that was their only goal in the last month in which they have conceded 9 in four games.
Derry are coming off the back of a 90th minute victory away to Bray Wanderers. The Candystripes possibly getting more than they deserved from the clash but never the less a win is a win and Stephen Kenny will be the more confident manager as a result.
Managers View
Of Tuesday night’s game Derry manager Stephen Kenny had this to say “I’m very happy with the persistence that the team has shown in the last two games with the ten man win over St Patrick's and the late goal against Bray.
We've showed good spirit in winning our last three league encounters and we want that to continue against Galway tomorrow at the Brandywell.
Galway have good players and I'm sure that it will be a keenly contested affair in what will be the first of two league games at home this week with Dundalk travelling here on Friday. Hopefully we will get a good crowd for the game and that the fans get behind the team like they always do."
Team News
Derry are without Sammy Morrow (Ankle), Kevin Deery (Knee), Ciaran Martyn (Groin) and Steven Gray who is suffering from a back injury.
Ian Foster will be without Shane Guthrie who was dismissed last week against Rovers. The Westerners suffered no injuries and are expected to be at full strength for the clash, apart from the single suspension.
Extratime Prediction: 2-0 to Derry City
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.