Galway United -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Alan Dooley
• Thu, Aug 27 2009


Galway United display their wares in front of the TV cameras for the second time this season when Shamrock Rovers come to town tomorrow night (kick off 7.45pm). The game is arguably more important to the home team as they look to stay clear of the relegation play-offs, given that Rovers are now seven points adrift of an unstoppable-looking Bohemians side.

Ian Foster's side ended up on the wrong end of a thumping in Dalymount Park last week, and while the boss' utterances that anything gained against the top four is a bonus may well be practical, surely a more positive approach to life should be expected at home this week as Galway look to end a run of poor results against the Hoops.

Michael O'Neill's side's title challenge suffered a mortal wound with four minutes of their clash with Dundalk to play, when Liam Burns popped up to nod in an equaliser. To have any realistic chance of wrestling the crown from Bohemians they now need to extend their current unbeaten run of 15 till the season's end, winning nearly all of their remaining fixtures.

A tough ask, but Galway United, on current form, will provide the meekest of threats imaginable. The feebleness of performance in defeat to both Longford Town and Drogheda United recently has worried the locals, who have only seen their side score two goals in their last seven home matches.

O'Neill will surely ask his side for more after Rovers second half collapse last week, and the announcement of the signing of Graham Barrett today only adds to the feeling that O'Neill is not one to rest on his laurels and will continue to strengthen his squad in the search for honours.

Commenting on the upcoming encounter with Galway, O'Neill said: "There have been no easy games home or away this season and this one will be no different. Galway have a good, well organised young team with plenty of energy. We’re expecting a difficult game, as tough as any we’ve had so far. But our ambition remains the same as before every game – we’re planning for a win and all three points.”

Dessie Baker has been the scourge of Galway United so far, netting the winner in Tallaght after sparkling in Terryland as Gary Twigg bagged a hat-trick. Ian Foster will not, however, single out the mercurial talent for special treatment. It would be surely in his interests, though, to employ one of the midfielders to pick up the striker when he drops deep, as he so often does to stunning effect.

The home side, at full strength following the return of David Cooke, will look to John Russell, Derek O'Brien, and Sean Kelly to prompt their efforts. Shamrock Rovers welcome back Shane Robinson following suspension, but have doubts over the availability of Paddy Kavanagh (hip), Stephen Bradley (hamstring), and Corie Treacy (knee).

extratime.ie Prediction: 2-0 Rovers.