League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Galway United

• Macdara Ferris
• Fri, Sep 25 2015




SHAMROCK ROVERS

With a focus firmly on securing European football for 2016, Shamrock Rovers are looking to build on their win over Bray Wanderers earlier in the week when they welcome Galway United to Tallaght Stadium on Friday night (kick off 8pm).

 

Brandon Miele’s free kick two minutes from time on Tuesday against the Seagulls prevented the Hoops going five league games without a victory. Miele has started the last 17 league games for the Hoops and that was his 11^th competitive goal of the season. 

 

“There were a few of us standing around it saying ‘who is taking it!?!’,” said Miele about the goal speaking to shamrockrovers.ie. “There are always a few who want to take them and it is all about someone taking responsibility to step up and put it away. 

 

“I was over it and it was a good strike and it went in! It was good to win late on. Sometimes in games you need just one little spark to win a match and I was happy to be able to provide it.”

 

Rovers’ last win prior to the win over Bray was their comprehensive 3-0 win over Cork City in mid-August. That victory over Cork had Hoops fans hoping of not just jumping above the Leesiders in the league but dreaming of catching Dundalk in a late tilt at the league title. 

 

It hasn’t turned out that way as Rovers lost to Dundalk and Derry whilst drawing against Sligo and Bohs. Hence the win earlier this week for the Hoops over Bray was vital in stopping the rot for Rovers but also to maintain their shot at runners up spot. 

 

If Bohs fail to win away to Drogheda United, then a Rovers win over Galway will mean the Hoops will be guaranteed fourth spot at least – if the FAI Cup winner turns out to be either Dundalk or Cork (who have been kept apart in the semi-finals) then fourth will be good enough for Europe.

 

However having finished fourth twice in the last three seasons, Hoops supporters want to see progression under Pat Fenlon’s management and the Rovers boss won’t be settling for fourth either - at least third spot would give them a European spot under their own right.

 

Rovers this week extended the contract of Brandon Miele and the 21-year-old player is keen that having signed up for another season with the Hoops that it will be another season of European football with Rovers next year.

 

“Every game till the end of the season we are looking at wins and to get as many points as we can so we can finish as high as we can. We are hoping Cork slip up. We want to confirm Europe and get second place.”

For more on Miele's contract extension (see here).

 

GALWAY UNITED

With just three points separating the bottom four in the table, Galway United travel to Tallaght Stadium desperate to get anything from this league encounter. Having not won a match in six league outings, United did at least pick up a win in their last league game – a 4-2 win against Longford Town.

 

However, last time out they suffered a penalty shoot-out heartache, going down 4-3 on penalties after 120 scoreless minutes in the EA Sports Cup Final against St. Patrick’s Athletic in Eamon Deacy Park.

 

Galway boss Tommy Dunne is focused on looking ahead to Friday’s crucial league clash rather than on the league cup that got away from them from 12 yards.

 

"Last weekend was disappointing, but as has been said, staying in the Premier Division is the priority for everyone,” said Dunne who has yet to manage a club to victory over the Hoops.

 

“We've got six cup finals coming up. Six huge games and reaching a national final has shown that, as regards confidence, we have no reason to be lacking in that regard."

 

"The teams around us have all been picking up points, so we need everyone to be at the races. The whole bottom half of the table is separated by just two wins at the moment, so we'll be looking for a big push from the lads."

 

United have visited Tallaght seven times in the Premier Division but have yet to win a game losing six times. They have only scored one top flight goal in the venue and that was six years ago in a 1-1 draw.

 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Brandon Miele’s ten league goals are the first time in 21 years that a midfielder has reached that milestone in the league for Rovers. John Toal was the last player to do so which was in the 1993/94 season when the Hoops lifted the league title.

 

Galway United's leading goalscorers have 22 league goals between them. Jake Keegan is sitting second in the league’s top goalscorer table with 12 goals (seven behind Dundalk's top marksman Richie Towell). His teammate Enda Curran has ten goals. Shamrock Rovers' top two goalscorers have 21 goals between them. Mikey Drennan is one goal ahead of Brandon Miele. 

 

This is the third meeting between the sides in the league this season and the Hoops have two wins to date – a 3-0 victory in Tallaght at the start of April and a 2-1 away win in Eamon Deacy Park on the eve of their Europa League campaign.

 

 

BETTING

Rovers 2/5; Draw 16/5; Galway 15/2.

 

PREDICTION

2-0 home win for the Hoops.

 

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Luke Byrne, Marty Waters.

Suspended: None.

 

Galway United

Injured: Ryan Connolly (ankle), Jason Molloy (thigh), Alex Byrne (groin).

Doubtful: Padraic Cunningham.

Suspended: Marc Ludden.