League Preview: Galway United -v- Wexford

• Paul Corcoran
• Thu, Oct 19 2023




GALWAY UNITED

Galway United are all set to celebrate when they host Wexford at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The First Division title was wrapped up by the Tribesmen weeks ago, but they have had to wait patiently until tomorrow night to get their hands on the trophy.

It’s almost exactly a month since United beat Kerry in Mounthawk Park to clinch their long-awaited promotion back to the top flight of Irish football and one would have forgiven them for taking their eye off the remaining league games in the intervening period.

They certainly would have been forgiven this season given they had to prepare for an FAI Cup semi-final against Bohemians – which they ultimately lost 1-0.

John Caulfield’s men have performed in a business as usual manner, they’ve won the four games since that night in Kerry.

Last weekend they faced a playoff chasing Treaty United in Markets Field and came away with a comfortable 4-1 win.

Ed McCarthy and Stephen Walsh put the Tribesmen ahead in the first half, Mark Walsh pulled one back midway through the second, but United put the foot on the gas with David Tarmey and Wassim Aouachria adding two more Galway goals before the end of the game.

Turning to tomorrow night’s game – Galway don’t really have anything to play for, but they do have that small matter of a perfect home record on the line.

They have played and won all 17 of their home games so far this season. There’s certainly pride on the line, but they will also want to get the fans out of their seats on what’s been a massive season for the west of Ireland club.

Tomorrow will be just one week shy of it being exactly six years since the Tribesmen were beaten at home by Dundalk in the Premier Division, confirming their relegation.

After finishing as low as seventh in the First Division and then three playoff disappointments in recent years, United finally go up as champions and return to the Premier Division.

WEXFORD

There is little on the line for Wexford tomorrow night as they make the trip to Galway. They clinched fourth place in the First Division somewhat comfortably in the end and they now have a shot at promotion for the first time since they were relegated in 2016.

It took an impressive nine game unbeaten streak to clinch that playoff spot and James Keddy’s side may look to bring that momentum into the playoffs with a win over Galway United tomorrow night.

In their last game they drew with fellow promotion contenders Cobh Ramblers, the side played out a 3-3 draw, despite Wexford having to reduce a two goal deficit on more than one occasion.

They found themselves 2-0 down after twenty minutes in the game with Thomas Oluwa scoring to reduce the deficit to one just before half time.

Wilson Waweru scored shortly after the re-start to reinstate the two goal lead but goals from Conor Levingston and Darragh Levingston rescued a point for Wexford.

That may have been a preview of what’s to come next week, Wexford host Cobh Ramblers in the first leg of their promotion playoff in Ferrycarrig Park on Tuesday, 24 October.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Galway United are looking to secure a perfect home record for the season with a win over Wexford tomorrow night.

The Tribesmen’s First Division title coincides with the 30 year anniversary of the last time the club lifted the trophy.

Wexford are unbeaten in nine games coming into Friday night’s game.

PREDICTION

Galway United 3–0 Wexford

Galway United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Wexford

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.