Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Galway United -v- Dundalk
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Oct 27 2017
GALWAY UNITED
It's win or bust for Galway United as they host Dundalk at Eamonn Deacy Park in what could be their final Premier Division game for some time (kick-off 7.45pm).
Shane Keegan's side know they need three points and for either St Patrick's Athletic or Sligo Rovers to lose their away games with Derry City and Drogheda United respectively.
The Tribesmen have the best goal difference of the three sides in danger of the drop so the equation is simple – they need to get three points more than one of those teams.
Last Friday saw Galway keep themselves within a shout of staying up with a 2-2 draw in Limerick thanks to second-half goals from Ronan Murray and Eoin McCormack.
It could have been more had Murray not seen his penalty saved by Freddy Hall, but the point leaves Galway with an outside chance of staying up.
"All we can do is go for the three points," Keegan told the club's official website.
"We've been in fantastic form over the last eight or so games. We're playing one of the form teams in the country, on the last day of the season, needing a win.
“It's not exactly who you would want to play, but we have to look after our own performance and be in control of that.
"There is no reason that we can't produce another good performance and if that's good enough on the day, then we can take a look around at the results elsewhere.
"Last week, we knew if we lost to Limerick, we would be relegated. We produced an excellent second half showing, shooting into the away end and that was a major factor in our comeback.
"For me, it's an easy team talk. You want to make sure that the players come off the pitch with their head held high. If everybody gives everything, we can't ask for anymore of them.”
Gavan Holohan misses out with suspension after picking up eight yellow cards this season but Keegan has an otherwise full-strength squad to choose from.
DUNDALK
Dundalk's have had second place sewn up for some time but Stephen Kenny's squad will be looking to impress with selection for next Sunday's FAI Cup final at stake.
The Lilywhites went down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bohemians at Oriel Park last Friday, with Ismahil Akinade's first-half strike proving the difference.
Any accusations of complacency will be put to bed for the televised tie at Deacy Park, however, with a number of players keen to make one final claim for a starting spot at the Aviva.
“It’s a must win game for Galway United,” midfielder Jamie McGrath told the club's website.
“They will be up for it and we know it’ll be difficult going over there to get a result. We already lost there this season. We know it won’t be easy but we wouldn’t expect that.
“We know we are going to have to play better than we did last week to get a result. We want to play better and hopefully we can put in a better performance and get the result.”
Sean Hoare and Conor Clifford are suspended, while Steven Kinsella and John Mountney both miss out with injury.
Stephen O'Donnell returns from suspension, but Dane Massey, Niclas Vemmelund, Dylan Connolly, Tommy Stewart and Paddy McEleney are all nursing knocks.
Referee: Ben Connolly.
MATCH STATS
The sides have met three already this season, twice in the league and once in the EA Sports Cup, with Dundalk holding the slight upper hand.
Galway picked up their first league win of the season with a 2-1 win at Eamonn Deacy Park in April, before Dundalk returned the favour with a 2-0 win at Oriel Park in June.
Dundalk ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Deacy Park in the EA Sports Cup semi-final before going on to lift the trophy in Tallaght a month later.
BETTING
Galway United 7/4; Draw 12/5; Dundalk 7/5.
PREDICTION
Galway United 2 – 1 Dundalk
Galway United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Gavan Holohan.
Dundalk
Injured: Steven Kinsella, John Mountney.
Doubtful: Dane Massey, Niclas Vemmelund, Dylan Connolly, Tommy Stewart, Paddy McEleney.
Suspended: Conor Clifford, Sean Hoare.
