Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
FAI Cup Preview: Galway United -v- Dundalk
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Aug 21 2015
GALWAY UNITED
Galway United host Dundalk in cup action (kick-off 7.45pm) for the second time this this month, following their penalty shoot-out triumph in the recent EA Sports Cup semi-final at Eamonn Deacy Park two weeks ago.
The Tribesman went into that game with a string of injuries – a list that grew to ten missing for last week's league encounter with Drogheda United, which finished 1-1 – and they'll have to draw on similar reserves as the champions come calling again.
"Considering we were missing 10 players, the three U19 players who came into our starting eleven performed really well and they were guided by the experienced heads in our squad,” Tommy Dunne told galwayunitedfc.ie.
"On the injury front, not much has changed, there won't be too many changes. The players will go out and enjoy themselves and give it their all.
"When we played Dundalk in the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup, they left everything on the pitch and I'll be asking the same of the players again on Friday. Anything can happen."
Tommy Dunne will have Colm Horgan and Enda Curran back from suspension, while Jason Molloy and Conor Barry may feature, but Marc Ludden, Stephen Walsh and Killian Cantwell are all out, as are long-term absentees Padraic Cunningham and Ryan Connolly.
DUNDALK
Stephen Kenny fielded a mixture of first-team players and under-19 prospects in the EA Sports Cup meeting between these sides, but he's likely to select his strongest line-up as he aims to keep the dream of a league and cup double alive.
The Lilywhites come into the game in optimal form, having shaken off their patchy post-Champions League form to breeze through what should have been two very difficult fixtures, following up last Friday's 2-0 win at the Brandywell with a 4-1 thumping over title rivals St Patrick's Athletic.
Kenny told dundalkfc.com: “It was a good weekend for us last weekend. We had two good wins and two tough games over the three days. We want to bring that form into this weekend with Galway.
“Some players are pushing for a start and we have the three big league games next week. We will be going to Galway in a positive frame of mind and looking to get through to the quarter-final”
Ciaran Kilduff will return to the squad after missing the victory over Pats due to a contract clause, meaning Kenny has a full squad to choose from.
Referee: Rob Rogers.
MATCH STATS
Galway United and Dundalk have met twice in the league so far this season. Richie Towell's hat-trick helped Dundalk to a 3-0 win at Oriel Park, before he added two more in a 4-2 victory at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The Tribesman ran out victors in the most recent fixture, in the EA Sports Cup semi-final, as a 0-0 draw was eventually settled on penalties, with Galway winning 4-2 on spot kicks.
The two sides also met at this stage of the FAI Cup in 2014, when goals from Donal McDermott and John Mountney helped Dundalk to a 2-1 win at Oriel Park, with Padraic Cunningham netting for the visitors.
BETTING
Galway United 11/1; Draw 11/2; Dundalk 1/5.
PREDICTION
Galway United 2 – 2 Dundalk
Galway United
Injured: Killian Cantwell (foot), Ryan Connolly (knee), Padraic Cunningham (knee), Marc Ludden (concussion), Andy O'Connell (foot), Stephen Walsh (ribs).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Dundalk
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
