SD Galway -v- Athlone Town

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Apr 19 2012




 

SD GALWAY

With just seven games played in this season’s First Division, seven points already separate SD Galway from Athlone Town. The gap will be a sore reminder to Tony Mannion that his Salthill side have emphatically failed to translate a promising pre-season, in which SD defeated three Premier Division teams, into league form.

 

With just three draws from their seven games, SD sit in the all too familiar lower reaches of the table, saved from bottom spot only by the even more disappointing form of their near neighbours Mervue United.

 

But Mannion and his charges will take some comfort from the fact that all of their points have been won at Terryland Park and they are, in fact, unbeaten at their new home. Wexford Youths, Longford Town and Mervue have all failed to take SD’s scalp at Terryland, where the home side have also scored four of their five league goals to date.

 

Salthill will be without suspended duo Nicky Curran and Mikey Gilmore while defender Paddy Quinlan is a serious doubt having picked up a knock in the EA Sports Cup against Shamrock Rovers. However, Timmy Molloy and Colm Horgan both return from international schools duty and Willie Enubele is back after suspension. Enda Curran and Luke McConnell are also expected to be available despite carrying slight knocks.

 

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone boss Mike Kerley welcomes both Damien Rushe and Stephen Relihan back to his squad for the first time this season but he will be without top-scorer Noel McGee who is suspended following his sending off against Waterford United last week. Kerley will also have to do without full back Joe Woods who may be facing a lengthy period on the side-lines having broken down on his return to training during the week.

 

Under-age players Ian Dempsey and Roy King also remain unavailable with long term injuries but it is McGee who will be the most significant absentee having led the front-line with aplomb so far this season, bagging four league goals along the way.

 

After a positive start to the season, Athlone lost some of their momentum in recent weeks, taking only one point from their last three league games. That came on last Friday night’s visit to the RSC where they managed to secure a 1-1 draw despite playing with ten men for the entire second half.

 

The Athlone faithful will be looking for more of that spirit this weekend as they look to go unbeaten away from home for the third game in a row.

 

Referee: Sean Grant.

 

MATCH STATS

Despite lying second bottom of the First Division with only three points, SD Galway are, so far, unbeaten at home after three outings at Terryland Park.

 

Athlone were the visitors when Salthill played their first ever league game, at Drom on 6 March 2010. An Austin Skelly goal won it for Athlone that night and they have remained unbeaten by Salthill since then, winning four and drawing three of their seven league meetings.

 

The stats say that this game is unlikely to finish scoreless. Athlone have scored in all three of their away games so far, while SD Galway have managed to score in all three of their home games.

 

 

BETTING

SD Galway 11/5; Draw 11/5; Athlone 11/10.

 

PREDICTION

SD to secure their fourth home draw of the season, 1-1.

 

SD Galway Injury News: Paddy Quinlan (serious doubt).

SD Galway Suspension News: Nicky Curran, Mikey Gilmore.

 

Athlone Injury News: Joe Woods, Ian Dempsey, Roy King.

Athlone Suspension News: Noel McGee.