League Preview: Galway United -v- Longford Town

• Andrew Dempsey
• Fri, May 17 2019




GALWAY UNITED

Looking to secure their second home win of the season, Galway United welcome promotion favourites Longford Town to Éamonn Deacy Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm)

The Tribesmen had a week off during last weekend’s round of fixtures as their scheduled clash against Bray Wanderers being postponed due to Under-17 European Championship matches taking place at the Carlisle Grounds.

With a brief respite from action, Galway boss Alan Murphy will have welcomed the break as his side prepare to face a rock-solid Longford Town side who have let in a miserly three goals in their promotion push this season.

Murphy admits that he is expecting a tough challenge against Neale Fenn’s in-form side when speaking with galwayunitedfc.ie.

“It’s an excellent game to look forward to and I suppose it’s a real guide of where we are in terms of our performance and the improvements that we’ve made.

“Longford have been the best side in the league this year when you look at their performances and all the indicators of performance, which are goals scored and goals conceded.

“They’ve only conceded three goals in the league which is a phenomenal record. We’re going to be really tested against them.

“We’re on the back of some good performances ourselves and we’ll be going into the game with confidence.

“We want to perform in front of our own home crowd. It’s a big weekend for us with two games in such quick succession, which will mean different players will get chances to impress.”

Murphy is missing a new of players with Conor Layng, Andrew Peters, Jeff McGowan and Adam Rooney all ruled out through injury while Dara Costelloe is suspended.

LONGFORD TOWN

After suffering a bitterly disappointing home defeat to Cabinteely last time out, Longford Town must now look to get back to winning ways when they travel westwards to face a struggling Galway United.

Longford’s last visit to Éamonn Deacy Park will evoke many happy memories following their most recent 4-1 win away to the Tribesmen.

A Dylan McGlade brace, now of Bray Wanderers, and a Jamie Doyle double set De Town on their way to a comfortable win over the Dyke Road outfit as new Town signing Carlton Ubaezuonu scored a late consolation for his former employers.

However, both sides are much altered since then with plenty of change at both clubs during the off-season taking place both on and off the field.

Speaking with his club’s media team after the defeat last time out to Cabinteely, Fenn revealed that he is looking for a reaction from his sides poor showing at City Calling Stadium last Saturday evening.

“We knew it was going to be tough going to Galway whether or not we beat Cabinteely. We know that they’re a good team.

“There’s no easy games in this division and unless you’re up for it, if you’re not at 100% it will be difficult.

“Having said that, we’ve done well so far this season and we will be going up there confident of securing a positive result.”

In terms of team news for De Town, only Joe Manley and Jamie Hollywood will miss out on the game due to college commitments. 

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

 

MATCH STATS

Longford Town have only conceded two goals on the road so far this season. Danny Furlong of Wexford and Rob Manley of Cabinteely are the only two who have found a way past Town ‘keeper Lee Steacy.

Galway United have only one home win to their name so far this season which came against basement side Wexford FC.

The last scheduled meeting between the pair of First Division was due to take place in early March but the City Calling Stadium pitch was unable to pass a pitch inspection. The rescheduled fixture will take place on June 3^rd.

 

BETTING

Galway United 16/5; Draw 23/10; Longford Town 8/11.

 

PREDICTION

Galway United 0-2 Longford Town

 

Galway United

Injured: Conor Layng, Andrew Peters, Jeff McGowan, Adam Rooney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Dara Costelloe.

 

Longford Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Unavailable: Jamie Hollywood, Joe Manley.

Suspended: None.