Galway United -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Alan Dooley
• Thu, Mar 25 2010


Two sides looking to avoid their third defeats of the season meet when Shamrock Rovers travel West to take on Galway United in the weekend's televised encounter at Terryland Park on Friday night (kick-off:7.35pm).

Goals have been a problem for both outfits heading into this tie, with two blanks apiece registered to date from their three previous League outings. Michael O'Neill's side, tipped to pose the most likely challenge to Bohemians dominance of the league, have been spectacularly sluggish out of the blocks. O’Neill acknowledges confidence in the camp is low.

“We’ve had two poor performances at home, there’s no doubt about that, and at this moment in time we’ve had a poor start to the season and the team’s struggling a little bit. Collectively the confidence was a little low after the Dundalk game, which is understandable - but it’s my job and Trevor’s job to pick the players up, and that’s what we’ve been doing this week.”

A key factor in this has been the absence of the Gary Twigg/Dessie Baker combination which proved so lethal last season. Both are ruled out of this clash, with the arrival of former Derry City striker Thomas Stewart expected but not confirmed ahead of a game from which The Hoops would expect to garner a maximum return. O’Neill believes his squad is strong enough to perform without his first choice strike force.

“The priority for us is to get a win under our belts. We’ve had injuries and suspensions, but we’re not looking at that to make excuses. We’ve a strong squad here. We know what’s required of us against Galway and we’ve prepared well during the week. It’s always tough in Terryland and we expect this game to be no different.”

Three wins were bagged last season by the Dubliners, but when push came to shove at the season's climax, Galway snaffled a point from Tallaght Stadium thanks to a memorable Aaron Greene goal and title aspirations were dashed.

Greene has left for pastures greener, but Sean Connor has coaxed another young talent to Galway in Karl Sheppard. With the likes of Jamie McKenzie dangerous in the air and Booby Ryan supplying the ammunition, The Tribesmen can look to this contest with some confidence, given their opponent's fragility from set-pieces as was evident against St. Patrick's Athletic.

With confusion surrounding the status of recent signing Anto Flood, Connor's only injury victim is Alan Murphy, while O'Neill must plan without the banned duo of Danny Murphy and James Chambers as well as their injured strikeforce.

Venue: Terryland Park

Referee: Damien Hancock

Paddypower.com Odds: Galway United 12/5, Draw 21/10, Shamrock Rovers Evens

Galway United
Injured: Alan Murphy.
Suspended: Anto Flood.

Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Gary Twigg, Dessie Baker.
Suspended: Danny Murphy, James Chambers.

extratime.ie Prediction: Rovers generally enjoy the trip west, a 2-1 win for O'Neill's side.