Dundalk -v- Galway United

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Sep 30 2010


Galway United travel to Oriel Park on Friday night in desperate need of points if they are to avoid the relegation play-offs. They face a Dundalk side who, thanks to a recent run of good form, should be safe from such worries but will be keen to gather the points that will help them towards mathematical safety. (Kick-off 7.45pm)

Apart from Galway’s growing financial pressures they are also facing difficult times on the field of play. Two heavy defeats at the hands of Shamrock Rovers form part of a recent slump which has yielded three defeats and two draws from their last five games.

And with just five games left to play, manager Sean Connor reckons his side need three wins to be confident of avoiding the play-off places, which would represent a considerable turn around in fortunes.

On paper Dundalk appear to be one of the more likely teams to offer up three of those nine points to the Tribesmen but Connor’s men travel without the suspended defensive duo of Jamie McKenzie and Seamus Conneely. They also have doubts over the fitness of defensive midfielder Philip Reilly and captain Barry Ryan, who is available after suspension but may also be missing due to the imminent arrival of a new baby.

Moreover, Dundalk are not quite the soft touch that they were throughout the summer months. A catastrophic run of form that saw them tumble down the league table has levelled out over the past few weeks and they have now won three of their last four outings, including a memorable 5-1 victory over league leaders Shamrock Rovers three weeks ago and a 2-1 win away to third placed St Patrick’s Athletic last weekend.

Contrary to the difficulties faced by Sean Connor, Ian Foster has a full squad to choose from on Friday night apart from a long term condition that restricts midfielder Stephen Maher to occasional appearances from the substitutes bench.

Former Macclesfield Town striker Mathew Tipton continues to lead the Dundalk line with authority and he will be confident of adding to the five goals he has scored over the past four games as he faces a Galway defence that has leaked sixteen goals in their last five.

All in all neither side have had the kind of season that will lead to over confidence among their supporters but the balance of power over the past few weeks tips in favour of the home team and it will represent a considerable achievement should Galway return West with the win that they so badly need.



Dundalk
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Stephen Maher.
Suspended: Johnny Breen.

Galway United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Barry Ryan, Philip Reilly.
Suspended: Seamus Conneelly, Jamie McKenzie.

Referee:Neil Doyle.

Extratime prediction:Dundalk to win, 2-0.