League Preview: Dundalk -v- Galway United

• Tom O'Connor
• Thu, Oct 15 2015




DUNDALK FC

Stephen Kenny’s men return to Oriel Park on Friday night to face Galway United as SSE Airtricity League Champions following their draw in Tallaght last Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

 

The Lilywhites have only lost once at home in all competitions this season and will be hoping to extend this run against the men from the West. Richie Towell has scored five league goals this season against Galway United in two encounters already and will be looking to add to his tally following his hat trick the last time the two sides met at the Dundalk venue.

 

The Louth men welcome Seán Maguire and Seán Gannon back into their squad following international duty and suspension respectively while Brian Gartland must still be considered a doubt, especially with the FAI Cup final to come.

 

Paddy Barrett did his selection chances for Friday’s game no harm with an assured goalscoring performance last week while Chris Shields deputised for the suspended Gannon. However, while there may be a temptation to rest key players ahead of the Aviva game, it would be unusual for a much changed line up to take the field this Friday.

 

Indeed, speaking to his club’s website, Kenny acknowledged Galway’s potential threat by conceding, “We know we will get a good game against them on Friday but we want to win all our games, we want to finish the season strongly”.

 

Ex Galway United defender, the aforementioned Barrett, reiterated his manager’s desire to finish out the league season on a high when he spoke to dundalkfc.com and stated, “We still have three league games remaining and we must continue to be professional until the end of the season.”

 

GALWAY UNITED FC

Meanwhile, Tommy Dunne brings his players to Oriel Park fresh from a 3-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Limerick FC last Friday night. The Tribesmen are the only side this season to hold Dundalk scoreless away from the Carrick Road venue.

 

On that night, in the EA Sports Cup, they beat the former holders on penalties. While Friday’s game is a league match and takes place at the home of the champions they can still take solace from the fact that they are one of only two Irish teams,  along with Bohemians, to beat Dundalk in any competition this season.

 

Speaking to Galway United’s club website following their loss on Shannonside, Tommy Dunne conceded, “I didn’t feel we performed anywhere near to our level against Limerick last week. We’re capable of a lot more. We will have to be disciplined against Dundalk, we can’t give any presents away, we need to be at it on the night to pick up a positive result in another important game for us.”

 

Regarding their squad, Enda Curran was taken off before half time last week and is out injured for this week’s match, along with Alex Byrne, Padraic Cunningham, Killian Cantwell and Jason Molloy.

 

This is the fifth time the sides have met this season with Dundalk prevailing 3-0 at Oriel Park in April thanks to Richie Towell’s treble, while July saw a 4-2 victory at Eamon Deacy Park for the away side- this time Towell with two goals and a strike a piece for Dane Massey and John Mountney.

 

This game was only really settled by the Mayoman’s late goal as Galway had a shot blocked on the goal line moments beforehand. Enda Curran and Padraic Cunningham did manage to find the net for the home team that night.

 

The following meeting was again in the west and this time the home side prevailed on penalties to secure a place in the next round of the EA Sports Cup following a scoreless match. On the 21^st of August, Dundalk travelled to Galway once more- this time in the Daily Mail FAI Cup- and the scoreline was 4-1 to the Lilywhites with Jake Keegan’s early goal for the Tribesmen being cancelled out with strikes from Brian Gartland, Richie Towell, Paddy Barrett and a pile driver from Seán Gannon.

 

Referee - Tomás Connolly

 

MATCH FACTS

Galway United include two former Dundalk FC goalkeepers in Ger Hanley and Conor Winn, while Gary Shanahan also played for the Lilywhites. For Dundalk, Gary Rogers, Stephen O’Donnell and Paddy Barrett have all also played in the maroon jersey.

 

Colm Horgan is the regular right back for Galway Utd while his brother, Daryl, plays on the left wing for Dundalk so they could be in direct opposition tonight. Colm was named on the First Division Team of the Year last year alongside Paddy Barrett while Daryl was on the Premier Division Team of the Year.

 

If the match ends in a draw, it would be the first time this season that Dundalk have drawn two league games in a row.

 

Tommy Dunne was the manager in charge of Cork City when Ciarán Kilduff signed on loan for the Leesiders during the 2013 season. However, having signed the striker in July, he was promptly sacked in August and became Galway United manager in November 2013.

 

BETTING

Dundalk 2/9;  Draw 5/1;  Galway Utd 12/1;
 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 3 Galway Utd 0


Dundalk

Suspended- None

Injured- None

Doubtful- Brian Gartland (thigh)

 

Galway United

Suspended- None

Injured- Alex Byrne (groin), Killian Cantwell (ankle) , Enda Curran (foot), Jason Molloy (thigh), Padraic Cunningham (knee)

Doubtful- None