League Preview: Galway United -v- Shelbourne

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen will be looking for an upturn in their fortunes in their first game back after the mid-season break with the side winless in five games (kick-off 7.45pm).

Changes aplenty have taken place at the west of Ireland club in recent weeks with Shane Keegan being relieved of his duties as manager and a Saudi Arabian takeover imminent.

Assistant manager Gary O’Connor has stepped up as interim manager and will be in charge on Friday night as he eyes an improvement on recent performances.

“It’s a big game,” O’Connor told the club’s website.

“The boys are up for it. They’ve gone away on their break and they’ve come back recharged.

“We had a meeting on Monday morning, going through everything that has happened since they’ve been gone.

“We got onto the training pitch and everyone has been at it. The response from the players has been very good and they’re giving me everything.”

With just ten games remaining in the First Division, the pre-season favourites for promotion lie outside the playoff spots.

“It hasn’t been good enough, everyone knows it, and there is blame on all sides. What I’m looking for on Friday night is 100% effort with and without the ball from the players.



“I want us to be at it, right from the start and to try and give our supporters a performance that shows that the players do care, because they’re getting a bit of flak at the moment.

“The lads are looking forward to the game and they want to go out and show how good they are.”

United’s midfield will be missing two of its key men as Alex Byrne is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards and Alan Murphy is recovering from a broken rib.

Maurice Nugent is also ruled out with an ankle injury while Aaron Conway is a doubt with a knee issue.

 

SHELBOURNE



Shelbourne are currently in third place, just seven points behind league leaders UCD as they face into the final ten games of the season.

Owen Heary’s men have already defeated Galway United this season as they easily brushed past them with a 2-0 win in Tolka Park in April.

Their last game saw them finish scoreless with Cabinteely but if Shels can get back on track with a win on Friday they can be very happy having not lost a league match since April 13th.

Heary has a full squad to choose from with no injuries or suspensions.

Jordan Buckley has joined the club from AUL Premier Division side Usher Celtic, while Jamie Doyle has left the club by mutual consent.

 

Referee: Damien MacGraith

 

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne are unbeaten in ten league games.

The Reds David O’Sullivan is the second highest goal scorer in the First Division so far this season with 13 goals.

Galway United’s loss against Shelbourne earlier this seas was the first meeting between the sides since The Tribesmen ended The Reds promotion hopes in 2014 in the First Division playoffs.

 

BETTING

Galway United 11/8; Draw 5/2; Shelbourne 11/5.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1-1 Shelbourne

 

Galway United

Injured: Alan Murphy and Maurice Nugent.

Doubtful: Aaron Conway.

Suspended: Alex Byrne.

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.