League Preview: Galway United -v- Athlone Town

• Andrew Dempsey
• Fri, Jun 28 2019




GALWAY UNITED

Searching for their first in six, Galway United host struggling Athlone Town at Éamonn Deacy Park on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Tribesmen most recent win came over title-chasing Longford Town in May as a Vinny Faherty double sank Neale Fenn’s side.

Speaking with his club’s media team, Galway boss Alan Murphy is hoping that his young side can finish the second series of games strongly.

“Playing after the mid-season break is always an interesting one, the player-manager said.  

“It’s about trying to gauge your players after coming back in terms of how refreshed they are and if they looked after themselves well over the break.

“It will be a squad performance on Friday night with certain players getting an opportunity to impress and stake a claim to be included in the remaining ten league games.

“The final series will give us an opportunity to get a little bit more familiar with Eamonn Deacy Park, it will be interesting to see how we can kick on.

“We’ll be hoping to get a real positive result against Athlone Town to bring into the following home game, hopefully building a bit of momentum.”

In terms of team news, Stephen Walsh misses out via suspension. Conor Barry, Joe Collins and Maurice Nugent are all doubts.

Iarfhlaith Davoren, Andrew Peters, Jeff McGowan and Adam Rooney miss out however as does Colin Kelly. Donal Higgins is likely to return to the fold.

ATHLONE TOWN

Winless since March, Terry Butler will be looking to achieve what no Athlone Town manager has done since 2006 in securing the club’s first win over Galway.

Butler’s side have struggled in recent weeks, but they will have been buoyed by their most recent showing against Cabinteely where they were pegged back at the death by a Luke Clucas equaliser.

The Midlander’s will be hoping that they can right the wrongs of their most recent defeat to the Tribesmen as they fell to a damaging 4-0 defeat to Alan Murphy’s side at Lissywoolen.

During the mid-season break, Athlone confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Michael Quinn who will provide suitable back-up to first choice Aaron Myles.

A former Dublin minor and under-21 player, Quinn joined St Patrick’s Athletic ahead of the 2018 season where he was unable to force his way through the ranks at Richmond Park.

Athlone will have no suspensions so contend with for the trip to Galway, however, they have released no further team news.

Referee: Garvin Taggart.

 

MATCH STATS

Athlone Town are winless since March, with their last win coming over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

Galway United’s biggest win of the season came against Athlone Town earlier on this term in an emphatic four-nil win for the Tribesmen.  

Athlone have not beaten Galway United in a competitive game since 2006. Both clubs were in the First Division on that occasion.

BETTING

Galway United 8/11; Draw 13/5; Athlone Town 11/4.

PREDICTION

Galway United 2 - 0 Athlone Town

 

Galway United

Injured: Colin Kelly, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Andrew Peters, Jeff McGowan, Adam Rooney.

Doubtful: Conor Barry, Joe Collins, Maurice Nugent.

Suspended: Stephen Walsh.

 

Athlone Town

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.