League Preview: Galway United - v - Longford Town

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Apr 29 2016




GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will aim to make it four wins from five as they host bottom-placed Longford Town at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

 

Tommy Dunne's side dropped to fourth in the table after Cork City won their game in hand on Monday, but United continue to exceed pre-season expectations, and they will expect to keep the run going as Dunne comes up against his cousin, Tony Cousins.

 

Galway had to scrap to beat Wexford Youths last week thanks to two second-half headers from the prolific Vinny Faherty, who tops the goalscoring charts with seven this season.

 

"We're at home again,” Dunne told the club's website. “For us it's trying to get another three points if we can, but we know that it's going to be a difficult game, because when Longford get their group together and have all their players, it's a tough match for anybody.

 

"From that point of view we know that we're up against it again. Longford have their threats in their team, the same as ourselves. We've got to stop their threats and get our own going ourselves."

 

Stephen Folan and Kevin Devaney remain absent with disc and leg problems respectively, while Ryan Connolly (calf) and John Sullivan (ankle) are rated as 50/50.

 

LONGFORD TOWN

Any optimism gained from Longford's creditable 1-1 draw with then-league leaders Derry City evaporated as Tony Cousins' side were hammered 3-0 by previously winless Sligo Rovers last Saturday.

 

They now sit dead last in the table on five points, behind Wexford Youths on account of their vastly inferior goal difference, but could take solace from the fact they finished four places ahead of Galway last season.

 

Cousins has at least been able to call on strikers Don Cowan and Lee Duffy, both of whom missed the start of the season, but Rhys Gorman remains absent after breaking his ankle playing tennis with his girlfriend.

 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

 

MATCH STATS

Galway United and Longford Town met three times last season, Longford having pipped Galway to the First Division title in 2014.

 

Though Longford finished sixth to Galway tenth in 2015, Galway got the better of the head to head, winning 1-0 at City Calling Stadium and 4-2 at Eamonn Deacy Park to Longford's 2-1 win in the first game in Galway.

 

 

BETTING

Galway United 4/9; Draw 10/3; Longford Town 6/1.

 

PREDICTION

Galway United 4 – 0 Longford Town

 

 

Galway United

Injured: Kevin Devaney (leg), Stephen Folan (disc).

Doubtful: Ryan Connolly (calf), John Sullivan (ankle).

Suspended: None.

 

Longford Town

Injured: Rhys Gorman (ankle).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.