League Preview: Drogheda United - V - Galway United

• Paul Corcoran
• Fri, Mar 23 2018




Drogheda United

Tim Clancy’s men have been in amazing form so far this season and they’re aiming for their third straight win when Galway United visit on Friday night.

With a number of postponements setting their season back somewhat, they managed to blitz both Athlone Town and Wexford with 14 goals in their opening two First Division games.

They began the season with a 6-0 drubbing of Athlone Town before demolishing Wexford 8-1 last Friday.

Friday’s game marks the first fixture under United Park’s new floodlights after their opening game against Finn Harps had to be called off pending an upgrade.

“I couldn’t have asked for anymore from the lads,” the 33-year-old said, speaking to the club’s website.

“Structurally, it hasn’t been ideal going from game to game but performance wise we’ve been excellent.

“The first-half against Athlone a fortnight ago was a battle that we came through and then last Friday against Wexford we were so hungry and clinical.

“It’s important to say that results like that will be in the minority come the end of the season but our start has been really encouraging.”

After big results, Clancy is looking forward to seeing how his side fare against Galway United who have started their own season in impressive form.

“They’ve been really impressive but I’m not surprised. Shane Keegan has put together a really strong side and with Danny Furlong up front, they have a natural goal scorer.

“I think it’ll be a really open game between two good sides. It’ll be a good indicator to see where we are at.”

In terms of team news, Drogheda will be without the suspended Lee Duffy while Sean Brennan is a doubt for the Boynesiders due to an injury.

Galway United

Galway have been in impressive form so far this season, going unbeaten in their opening three games. They also progressed to the next round of the EA Sports Cup defeating Cockhill Celtic earlier this week.

However, manager Shane Keegan is aware that his side aren’t playing to their full potential and he’s also looking to stamp out their habit of conceding sloppy goals.

“It’s a huge game already this early in the season, based on the way that they’ve started,” he told the club’s website.

“Away to Drogheda will be one of the toughest fixtures when you consider how they’ve taken off. It’s a really good challenge for ourselves. We did quite well in our last away game in UCD. We’re going to have to be at that level, or even a level higher to get something out of the Drogheda game.

“Looking back on the week we’ve had, I was pleased with elements and the results that we secured. We got three points on the board and we’re also into the next round of the EA Sports Cup. That was the main aim.

“I wouldn’t have thought either performance was fantastic. Friday night against Cabinteely was decent, Monday against Cockhill was just about average. There is another couple of levels in us and we need to find that if we’re going to continue getting results.

“We’ve been clinical so far this season, we’re maybe creating five or six chances in a game and we’re scoring three or four of those chances which is brilliant to see. I think we have enough creativity in the team that we should be creating double figures in terms of chances.

“The sloppy goals that we’ve conceded at the end of our bigger wins has been an annoyance, so the clean sheet was welcome on Monday. Our concentration levels will need to be high in Drogheda, we can’t afford to be coughing up too many chances.”

Keegan will be without the services of Aaron Conway with the defender missing out due to a hamstring injury he picked up in the game against Cabinteely last week. The trio of Robbie Williams, Danny Furlong and Carlton Ubaezuonu are also a worry for the manager with all three being assessed prior to tomorrow night’s game having missed out on the game against Cockhill Celtic on Monday night.

Referee: Adriano Reale

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United have scored 14 goals in their opening two First Division games this season.

Galway United haven’t kept a clean sheet in league competition since last May’s 0-0 draw with Derry City in Eamonn Deacy Park.

The Tribesmen are unbeaten in their last two meetings with The Boynesiders.

BETTING

Drogheda United 15/11; Draw 27/10; Galway United 39/19.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-1 Galway United

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Sean Brennan.

Suspended: Lee Duffy.

Galway United

Injured: Aaron Conway.

Doubtful: Robbie Williams, Danny Furlong, Carlton Ubaezuonu.

Suspended: None.