Drogheda United -v- Galway United

• P.J. Murray
• Thu, Apr 09 2009


Galway United face the long trek to United Park to take on a Drogheda side still looking for their first win in this season’s competition.

Current Form
Since their flying start to the season the Tribesmen have faltered in recent weeks, losing to Bohemians midweek in a game where they never looked like getting going. Coupled with a series of draws Ian Foster’s men have slipped down to fourth.

Drogheda remain rooted to the bottom, however their performance at home to Shamrock Rovers last Friday warranted more than the point they eventually came away with. The game in Turner’s Cross, midweek showed why Alan Matthews finds his side in such a precarious position. In what was a poor game, Drogheda failed to make any inroads to the Cork defence and were lacklustre in their play.

Team News
Drogheda will have to contend without striker Shane Barrett, but more worrying for the Boynesiders will be the potential loss of captain Alan McNally.

Galway will once again have to travel without the services of Shane Fitzgerald who is still recovering from an ankle injury, while John Russell and Mark O'Toole are both returning to fitness after spells on the sidelines.

Seamus Connelly is also a doubt after being substituted on Tuesday against Bohemians with a groin injury.

Manager views
Speaking ahead of the game Alan Matthews has said, “I’m not going to single out any individual players for Galway, as the team(as a whole) have started the season very well, getting the club into a comfortable position in the table at this early stage in the season.

“We know ourselves that we need to work very hard for the full 90 minutes of the match. We have to focus on our own play, and take the game to Galway, as we did against Cork and Shamrock Rovers in our last two games.”

Extratime prediction : 2-1