League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Galway United

CABINTEELY FC

For the first time this May, Cabinteely will be looking forward to their first home in almost a month against a promotion chasing Galway United side at Stradbrook Road on Sunday afternoon. (Kick-Off is at 3pm).

Cabinteely go into Sunday’s clash on the back of three successive away trips to Cobh Ramblers, Wexford FC and Finn Harps in recent weeks as they look to secure their second home in a row since their big home win over Shelbourne back in April.

Of course, Cabinteely’s last home game was against basement side Athlone Town, but that game was abandoned thanks to a floodlight issue at Stradbrook in their last outing at the home of Blackrock College RFC.

It has been a mixed start to the season for Pat Devlin’s charges as they lie in a lowly 8^th place after suffering from some early season inconsistencies as they fell to disappointing home defeats to Cobh Ramblers and Wexford FC respectively in the opening few games of the season.

However, Cabo’s recent home form has been encouraging as the South Dubliners have taken scalps against promotion chasing Drogheda United and Shelbourne in recent weeks as Kieran Marty Waters and co. have delivered the goods for Pat Devlin’s men in the big games at Stradbrook.   

Cabinteely have failed to provide any team news as of yet, but they will have the luxury of heading into Sunday’s game without any outstanding suspensions for their players to serve as they head into a critical juncture of the stop-start season.

GALWAY UNITED

For just the second time in under a month, Galway United will make the long trip to the capital as they look to banish the memories of their last trip to Dublin with a big win over an inconsistent Cabinteely at Stradbrook.

This game will of course be United’s first official trip to Stradbrook in the League of Ireland as the last clash between the pair at Éamonn Deacy Park was their first encounter with Cabinteely in a competitive environment.

In truth, the Tribesmen recent away from home hasn’t been great for potential title contenders having only registered one away win all season, which came against a bottom of the table Athlone Town side just a few weeks back at the Athlone Town Stadium.

After disposing of top of the table UCD last time out at Éamonn Deacy Park, Galway United will surely be out to build on some positive recent weeks for the club as the Tribesmen look to solidify their position in the promotion hunt of a captivating First Division.

On the back of last week’s big win over the Students, Galway boss Shane Keegan is hoping that his side can continue their good run f form as they head into a crucial series of games which may define their season.

"We're in very good form, we're still scratching our heads over the game we lost in Finn Park. We're happy with our form of late, though.” Keegan said

"Last Friday's win against UCD was the high point of our season, so far. Confidence is high at the moment.”

However, the former Wexford Youths boss is well aware of his sides need to reproduce their performance against Cabinteely.

"The game in Cabinteely will be chalk and cheese compared to the UCD game though and we will be asked very different questions.

"I feel there is a perception out there that games against the teams outside the top six are gimmes. We have worked extremely hard in those games and we know if we don't do our best, we will be found out.

"We need to be at the same level as UCD, if not better again."

Galway United and Shane Keegan will have to contend without the services of Aaron Conway due to a continuing knee complaint which has halted the progress of the Laois native so far this season.

The Tribesmen should have a full-strength squad to choose from apart from that as they have no suspensions to deal with for Sunday’s game at Stradbrook.  

Referee: Jason Mannix

MATCH STATS

This will be Galway United’s first trip to Stradbrook as they face Pat Devlin’s inconsistent Cabinteely at the South Dublin venue.

The last game between the pair ended up in a three-one home win for Shane Keegan’s Tribesmen as a Conor Barry strike and a brace from Danny Furlong saw United ease past their Dublin opposition. Joe Doyle scored a late consolation for Cabo.

Should Cabinteely run out winners at Stradbrook in this clash, they would see themselves leapfrog Cobh Ramblers into 7^th place in the First Division table. 

BETTING

Cabinteely 7/2; Draw 11/4; Galway United 4/7

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1–2 Galway United 

Cabinteely

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.