Sligo Rovers -v- Galway United

• Christopher Davey
• Sat, May 23 2009


Both Sligo Rovers and Galway United are going into tomorrow night's game after contrasting results in the EA Sports Cup last week, but while also experiencing contrasting fortunes in this season's league. While the Bit O'Red seem to be finally gelling after a lacklustre start to the 2009 campaign, the Tribesmen faltered against UCD in the league cup, in a result that was really against their form to date.

Sligo will have to play against Ian Foster's men tomorrow night without the services of the two Liverpudlians Danny Ventre and Chris Butler, with Ventre suspended while Butler is still sidelined with his knee injury. When asked about his knee injury by extratime.ie today, Butler replied, 'I am getting better. My training has stepped up a lot in the last few weeks am hoping to be getting the wires out from my knee in the next few weeks and hopefully I can kick on from there, but there will still be a few months.' Galway will also be suffering from a injury-suspension double attack, with Garry Breen suspended and the injured Seán Kelly while a an orgy of ankle injuries have struck down a threesome of Tribesmen, Paul Sinnott, Shane Fitzgerald and Alan Murphy.

While the derbiness of this this derby is often questioned, Alan Keane has become the latest player to travel the N17 but his move has not deterred him from his feelings for his home club. “It will be tough playing against my former club and being from Galway makes it even tougher!” stated Keane today, and when asked about the near certain chants from the Galway support, he was more than understanding. “It's all banter, I don't mind. It doesn't bother me”, said Keane.

This match will be tight, as the resurgent Sligo meet the on form Galway, and according to Rovers winger Brian Cash, spirits are high following the win over Sporting Fingal on Monday. “Ah, it's great to be in the semi final of the cup. We're all looking forward to it and it's a nice distraction from the league. In the Pat's game, we showed great character to come back twice so hopefully we can carry that into tomorrow and get a win and climb back up the league.”

Also interesting to note is that the supporters will be having the now frequent tussle before the game in Sligo, as the Bit O'Red Supporter's Trust welcome the Galway United Supporter's Trust at the Showgrounds astro pitch tomorrow. Sligo supporters are also urged to take their seats early for tomorrows main feature, as Forza Rovers are bursting to make an impact at the game. To be noted is the fact that kick off tomorrow is at 7.45, not the 8 o'clock as was previous in the Showgies.

The bookies have Sligo as the favourite for tomorrow's game, with them priced at 11/8 but Galway do look good value for the win at 19/10. The draw is also nice and tempting at 21/10.