St. Patricks Athletic -v- Galway United

• Gareth Penrose
• Fri, Mar 06 2009


When the fixtures were announced last month, Jeff Kenna would probably have preferred not to be meeting his former club in the first fixture of the season. However that is how the cards have fallen and thus creates one of the games to watch as Kenna and St. Pat’s welcome Galway United to Richmond Park. (kick off 19:45)

Injurys and Suspensions
Kenna will have to plan without the services of Gary Dempsey, Jamie Harris and Dave Partridge who are suspended. The St. Pat’s manager will also be without goalkeeper Brendan Clarke who is out injured with a broken fifth metatarsal in his foot. A late fitness test will be given to Jason Gavin who is a major doubt for the game.

Depleted Squad
With the injuries and suspensions, Kenna will have to look to junior players to have a full squad going into the game. “I think we will have 13 senior players for the game on Friday which is not ideal, Anthony Costigan and Stephen Fitzpatrick who have been training with the squad could well be promoted to the squad”

Pre-season
Galway have had a solid pre-season with victories over Mervue United twice, Finn Harps and UCD. Ian Foster will be without John Russell who will be out for four or five weeks with an ankle injury, whilst Jonathan Keane misses out as he is suffering with a virus.

Debuts
The Tribesman look like giving Barry Ryan, Shane Guthrie, Michael McGrath, Sean Kelly and Gary Breen debuts. Jay O’Shea will take the captains armband whilst Vinny Faherty will act as lone striker. Faherty scored the winner for Galway in the last meeting of these sides, the fixture which resulted in Gary Dempsey receiving a two match suspension.

Special Offer
As part of a special “80 YEARS, 80 CENTS” promotion St. Patrick’s Athletic are offering Children under 12 admission for 80 cent once accompanied by an adult.

The game in Inchicore kicks off at 19:45 and Extratime.ie will bring you all the news and goals.