SD Galway -v- Longford Town
- Alan Finn
- Thu, Mar 29 2012
SD GALWAY
SD Galway will be looking to climb up the table after a poor start to the season, but face a difficult task against table toppers Longford Town.
Despite some decent performances in their opening fixtures, Tony Mannion's side have struggled having picked up only one point in four games and they have just two goals to show for their efforts. Their one point so far came at home in a 1-1 draw with Wexford Youths courtesy of a Brian Gaffney goal.
The Connacht side were probably unlucky not to have picked up more against Athlone Town or Waterford United, but they were always destined to struggle against a far superior Limerick side last week who were comfortable 3-0 winners. Despite their place in the table, Mannion would appear to have instilled some belief in his side, and they'll certainly need it tomorrow night when they meet The Town who will want to maintain their 100% start to the season.
Mannion will have to do without Timmy Molloy and Colm Horgan who are away on international duty as well as the injured Brian Gaffney and midfielder Ciaran Foley who is a long-term absentee.
LONGFORD TOWN
Longford Town will be aiming to make it five wins out of 5 in Terryland Park tomorrow night when they face a struggling SD Galway side.
Longford are the only Airtriciry League side to have a 100% record in the season and it’s only the second time in the club’s history that they've won at least three opening games. The first time was in the 1985-86 season under Billy Bagster.
The Town have a very good record on the road against against Salthill Devon, winning three of the last four meetings, the other game ending in a 1-1 draw in the penultimate game of last season.
Tony Cousins will also be without four players for this encounter. Jeff Flood, Craig Walsh, Austin Skelly and Niall O'Reilly will all miss out through injury.
Referee: Ralph Peiper
MATCH STATS
The last meeting between these sides ended in a 1-1 draw in the penultimate game of last season's campaign.
Des Hope and Daniel Purdy are the joint top scorers for Longford this season with two each. Brian Gaffney and Enda Curran are SD Galway's only scorers so far with one each.
Longford are unbeaten on the road against Salthill Devon, winning three of the last four meetings between the sides. The other game ended in a 1-1 draw last season.
BETTING
SD Galway 13/2; Draw 3/1; Longford Town 2/5
PREDICTION
SD Galway 0-3 Longford Town
SD Galway Injury News: Ciaran Foley, Brian Gaffney
SD Galway Suspension News: None
Longford Town Injury News: Jeff Flood, Craig Walsh, Austin Skelly, Niall O'Reilly
Longford Town Suspension News: None