League Preview: Galway United -v- St Patrick's Athletic

GALWAY UNITED

The bottom two sides in the league clash on Friday evening (7.45pm kick-off) as 12th-placed Galway United welcome 11th-placed St Patrick's Athletic.

 

Shane Keegan's side remain the only team yet to win a league game this season and only one of their three draws, against against Sligo Rovers last week, has come at home.

 

Even a win on Friday won't be enough to life the Tribesmen off the foot of the table as they already sit four points adrift at the bottom, and five from safety.

 

Last Friday's trip to the Carlisle Grounds resulted in another defeat, their fourth of the season, and Keegan knows his side can't afford to slip further behind even at this early stage.

 

"I'll be looking for an improvement in attacking areas against St Pats,” he told the club's official website.



 

“At the same time, we haven't kept a clean sheet so that's a huge thing for us as well.

 

“There has been a lot of talk over the last week in training about keeping a clean sheet and what's required. That's equally a big focus for us.

 

"A win on Friday gets us right back in the picture, I really do think that we can take off and there has only been one game all season where there has been more than a goal in it, against Cork City.



 

"I think the confidence of a win and a big performance would do wonders for the players. The key defining moments seem to be falling against us so far.

 

“You can't wallow in self pity and feel sorry for yourself, all you can do is get on with it and increase the work you're putting and eventually it will come right."

 

Midfielders Kevin Devaney and Gavan Holohan, as well as striker Padraic Cunningham, are all nearing a return and could feature.

 

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

St Patrick's Athletic will look to put Friday's disappointing 2-0 home loss against Limerick as they travel to fellow relegation-threated side Galway.

 

The Saints were on a run of three straight victories in all competitions when they face the managerless Blues but came unstuck thanks to goals from Tony Whitehead and John O'Flynn.

 

That doesn't tell the whole story as Conan Byrne missed a penalty for the Saints midway through the first half and they had numerous chances to take at least a point.

 

"Galway have been a little unlucky this season to date as they've drawn three out of seven which isn't bad, and their performances have been good in games I've seen,” manager Liam Buckley told the club's website.

 

“Shane Keegan is there a little while and is a good young manager so they will improve as the season progresses.

"The home support in Galway always get behind the team so we've played there in some big matches in recent years such as in 2015 when we won the EA Sports Cup so we know what to expect.

 

“The surface in Eamonn Deacy Park is usually kept in great condition so it should be a good game of football on the night."

"We know we need to show more of the form we produced in recent wins.

 

“We were good in parts of the display against Limerick last week, so we need to be more consistent and keep concentration when we have to defend.”

 

Buckley will again be without defender Darren Dennehy with an ankle injury and Christy Fagan, who continues to struggle with a hamstring strain.

 

 

Referee: Derek Tomney.

 

 

MATCH STATS

The teams met three times in the Premier Division last season, with the Saints taking two victories to Galway's one.

 

The Tribesmen were surprising 3-1 winners at Richmond Park on the opening day of the season as Vinny Faherty, John Sullivan and Enda Curren scored following Christy Fagan's opener.

 

Pats returned the favour at Eamonn Deacy Park as they won 3-0 thanks to goals from Sean Hoare, Billy Dennehy and Conan Byrne.

 

The final meeting, at Richmond Park, finished 1-0 to the Saints thanks to a third-minute goal from Fagan.

 

 

BETTING

Galway United 7/4; Draw 12/5; St Patrick's Athletic 6/4.

 

PREDICTION

Galway United 0 - 1 St Patrick's Athletic

 

 

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Kevin Devaney, Gavan Holohan, Padraic Cunningham.

Suspended: None.

 

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: Darren Dennehy (ankle), Christy Fagan (hamstring).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.