Galway United -v- Derry City

• Alan Dooley
• Fri, Oct 16 2009


Galway United, who looked to be heading off into the mid-table distance only a few weeks ago, now face a crucial five day spell where two games could well shape their Premier Division destiny. Derry City are the first of United's three remaining home fixtures at Terryland Park tonight (kick-off:7.45pm).

With three of their last five games at home, Galway would appear to be in control of their own fate, but given that Bohemians and Cork City, against whom Ian Foster's side have not managed a solitary point this year, will follow Derry to the City of the Tribes, then the task in avoiding the play-off becomes a lot more onerous. Away trips to United Park and Tallaght will also test the fortitude of a Galway squad who have only once this season forced a draw from a losing position.

That was against tonight's opponents when they first met in the Brandywell in April, when Seamus Conneely's strike cancelled out an early Thomas Stewart goal. Stephen Kenny's side have since sauntered away from Terryland with a comfortable 3-0 win before being shook by a 3-1 reverse after again taking the lead. Alan Murphy, Dave Cooke, and Aaron Greene were the Galway heroes that September night, the club's last away win to date.

Derry City have been beaten, without scoring, by all three sides above them in recent weeks, surely a galling statistic for the ambitious Kenny to stomach, in spite of the numerous injuries he has had to deal with. Their quest for a European place was aided by an unlikely source at the Carlisle Grounds last Friday, and with Cork staggering from one crisis to another and facing Bohemians tonight, a win for the Candystripes could have them back in third by the dawn.

Kenny will have a fuller deck to choose from than in recent weeks, as his defensive options are increased by the return of Peter Hutton and Ger O'Brien. In attack, though, the problems persist as Thomas Stewart, Mark Farren, and Sammy Morrow are all ruled out. Tam McManus should start, with possibly David Scullion providing support.

Galway welcome back Seamus Conneely after a competent display for the Irish U21s on Tuesday night in Waterford. His calmness and ability in possession are a vital asset to this Galway side, who are being sucked into the play off battle by a resurgent Sligo Rovers. Galway could well lie in eighth, their lowest position of the season, by the end of tonight were results to go against them. Manager Ian Foster was far from pleased by his side's performance in the Showgrounds last weekend, although his own tendency to err on the cautious side may also have helped their downfall.

United simply do not have enough defensive-minded midfielders to soak up pressure, as he would like from his 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1 formation when he employs this tactic. They need a threat at the other end and Vinny Faherty alone will cause few teams problems as he does not have the pace to stretch a back four. When partnered, as he has been recently with Aaron Greene, the signs have been more encouraging. The same was true earlier in the season when Declan Edwards provided a foil for Faherty's graft.

There is no doubt Foster has done a great job, on a shoestring budget which has looked tattered and close to snapping at times, but he will be ultimately judged on whether he can keep the club in the division. He deserves to succeed, but faces a tense climax to his first season as a manager which may well extend beyond the first weekend in November.

extratime.ie Prediction: 2-0 Derry.