Sligo Rovers -v- Galway United

• Jessica Farry
• Sat, Oct 01 2011




Sligo Rovers welcome Galway United to The Showgrounds for the last Connacht derby of the season on Saturday, where they will hope to continue their pursuit of the league title (Kick-Off 7.45pm).

 

Sligo Rovers are joint top of the table, Galway on the other hand are isolated at the bottom. This season’s meetings between the two have resulted in nine points for Sligo along with twelve goals for the Bit O’Red.

 

Their last meeting in Terryland Park in July was an 8-0 annihilation by the visitors. A hat-trick from Matthew Blinkhorn added to a brace from Eoin Doyle, single goals from Richie Ryan and Raffaele Cretaro and an own goal from Paul Sinnott to give Rovers the victory.

 

Sligo will, however, be without captain Richie Ryan who is suspended and both Jason McGuinness and Eoin Doyle who are both missing through injury. Manager Paul Cook is hoping for his side to show the same professionalism that has given them their last two victories: “We know Galway will try to stop us and they come here with nothing to lose. The pleasing thing for me is that in our last two games we have been very professional, recorded wins and put in the level of performance we needed. That is what we’ll be aiming for this week."

 

Galway will travel to Sligo missing five first team players. Johnny Keane, Victor Collins and Eric Holland remain on the sidelines while South Korean Yob Son misses out due to a dead leg. Stephen Walsh serves a one match suspension while Jin Gu Kim returns from a hamstring injury.

 

United manager John Brennan said his side will give it their best: “It’s going to be a huge game. We have to focus on keeping it tight, be in the game in the first half and after that give it the best shot we can.”

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Jason McGuinness (shoulder), Eoin Doyle (ankle).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Richie Ryan

 

Galway United

Injured: Johnny Keane (knee), Victor Collins (Achilles tendon), Eric Holland (hamstring).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Stephen Walsh.

 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

Paddy Power odds: Sligo Rovers 1/20; Draw 9/1; Galway United 33/1.

extratime prediction: A 3-0 win for the home team.