Credit:
Galway United -v- Drogheda United
- P.J. Murray
- Fri, Aug 20 2010
Drogheda travel to Galway in desperate need of a win following a poor string of results coupled with a resurgent Bray Wanderers breathing down their necks.
Galway will be heading into the clash on top form after a dramatic 2-0 win over league champions Bohemians at Dalymount park. The Tribesmen were reduced to nine men following the dismissal of Rhys Meynell and Paul Sinnott in the win.
In two clashes between the sides this season Galway have come out on top with a 3-1 win at Terryland back in April followed up by a 1-0 win at Hunky Dorys Park in June.
Drogheda have failed to find a consistent vein of form since appointing Darius Kierans as assistant manager, although the calibre of performance has increased.
Speaking ahead of the clash Darius Kierans was in confident mood but pointed out the need to get some more points on the board.
“It’s going to be another big game for us this Friday, we need to start picking up points. Galway isn’t an easy place to go, Sean Connor has done a great job with the budget he has. They might be without two players, but we know what that’s like, there have been weeks where we were down 4 or 5 bodies regularly and it’s only recently that we can field a full squad so that won’t be a factor in the match,” he added.
Galway manager Sean Connor spoke about the confidence at the club following the win over a Liverpool side and Bohemians in quick succession, although he added that it was the latter win which was the more pleasing.
However for Galway it is the desire to escape the bottom three which is a big factor heading into the match,
“We must win, if we win and results go our way we could get out of the bottom three which would be a massive psychological boost for the lads, and I’ve always said we could still get another one or two places.”
Drogheda will be without the services of Brendan McGill who is on the long term injury list while Galway will be without the suspended defenders who were dismissed against Bohemians. Seamus Conneely is a doubt for the Tribesmen, the loss of the defender along with the suspensions could see some massive changes in the Galway defence.
Both sides need the three points but it could be a stronger Drogheda side who take them on Friday night, the loss of Meynell and Sinnott will be a big blow as well as the fact that if Seamus Conneely plays he will not be 100% fit. Drogheda have been playing some impressive football but have failed to get the results and their form away from Hunky Dory Park has been impressive as the Boynesiders recorded wins over Pats and Fingal in quick succession.
paddypower.com odds: Galway United 8/11 Draw 9/4 Drogheda United 10/3
Venue: Terryland Park
Galway United:
Doubtful: Seamus Conneely.
Injured: None.
Suspended: Rhys Meynell, Paul Sinnott.
Drogheda United:
Doubtful: None.
Injured: Brendan McGill.
Suspended: None.
Extratime,ie Prediction: Drogheda to take the spoils with a one goal win.
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.