Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Galway United -v- Cork City
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, May 12 2017
GALWAY UNITED
Galway United climbed off the bottom of the table for the first time since March 18th thanks to a 1-1 draw with Derry City in their rescheduled league game on Monday evening.
While the result stretched the Tribesmen's unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions, a midweek fixture before welcoming the league leaders is less than ideal.
So it will be difficult for Shane Keegan's side to maintain their current record against a side with an even more impressive streak at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).
"We're proving to be one of the most difficult teams to beat in the league over the last couple of months,” Keegan told the club's website.
"Obviously Cork City have beaten everyone that's been put in front of them since the start of the season, but we're hopeful that we can pose them some questions that might cause them some difficulties.
"It's a serious task, but it's one that we're really looking forward to.
"The key thing for us is we have a lot of players in very good form at the moment. I think Stephen Folan is in his best form of the season, he's been absolutely excellent recently. The back-line in general have been really good.
"With our improved level of performance and the opportunity to see us try to become the first team to take points of Cork City this season, you would imagine everything is pointing to what should be an attractive game for Galway people to come out and watch."
Keegan's only injury concern is striker Vinny Faherty, who is set to miss several weeks after sustaining ligament damage in his foot in last Friday's draw with Drogheda United.
CORK CITY
Cork City made it 13 wins from 13 in the league this season thanks to a comprehensive 5-0 win over Finn Harps at Turner's Cross on Friday.
The result somwhat overstates the comfort level as City were only 1-0 up heading into the final half-hour and three goals came in the final 11 minutes.
Nevertheless, the result underlines the clinical nature of a side who have already beaten Galway 4-0 at Turner's Cross this year, while they won 5-0 on their last visit to Deacy Park in 2016.
“Galway had a slow start to the year and lost a couple of games, but they are on an unbeaten run of several games at the moment,” Caulfield told the club's website.
“Obviously, they have beaten Dundalk and drawn with Derry in their last two at home, so they are on a decent run and they have some seriously good players.
“They have goals in their team and they always create a lot of chances, so we are well aware of what is in front of us.”
“From our point of view, we are going there to get the three points. You just have to be on your game if you want to get the result.
“Galway is like Cork, a lovely ground and a passionate crowd. I keep saying that, if we play to our maximum, then I think we will win most of our games, but if we drop our performance you risk dropping points and that is what we have to guard against.”
Steven Beattie, Alan Bennett and Karl Sheppard will all be assessed ahead of kick-off as they nurse minor injuries.
Referee: Robert Harvey.
MATCH STATS
Cork's winning streak in the league now stands at 13 games, while they've won all 17 of their games in all competitions this season.
Galway have won just two games this season, in the league against Dundalk and Derry City in the EA Sports Cup, but their record of seven draws is more than any other side.
The sides met three times last season. The first meeting at Deacy Park ended 2-2 while Cork romped to 5-3 and 5-0 victories in the two remaining games.
BETTING
Galway United 13/2; Draw 16/5; Cork City 4/9.
PREDICTION
Galway United 0 – 3 Cork City
Galway United
Injured: Vinny Faherty (foot).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Cork City
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Steven Beattie, Alan Bennett, Karl Sheppard.
Suspended: None.
