EA Preview: Galway FC -v- Finn Harps

GALWAY FC

Full of exuberance, attacking threat and positive play - there's a fresh sense of optimism in the air at Galway FC following Friday night's 2-0 win over an in-form Waterford United thanks to an own goal from Kevin Burns as well as a wonder-strike from Ryan Connolly.

And they'll be keen to keep the momentum going in an effort to avoid their campaign evolving in to a bumpy, stop-start ride.

And, Monday's EA Sports Cup encounter against Finn Harps provides them with a great chance to do exactly that.

With home advantage on their side, Connacht's only First Division side can really push home the win to give themselves yet another much-needed boost.

Pushing forward with some great attacking fluidity on occasion so far this year, it's clear they have the necessary components to challenge any defence on their day. But manager Tommy Dunne was anxious to point out their defensive strengths, too.

Speaking ahead of Monday's match, he said: "A team that picks up clean sheets regularly is giving itself an opportunity to win matches. That is what we are trying to do."

He went on to add: "Of course we want to play, but we want to win matches and there has to be a purpose to how you play. Clean sheets for us are important.”

He also stressed how vital it was to maintain a good squad rotation, hinting that the Eamonn Deacy Park faithful would likely see a vastly altered team lining out at the start of the week: “We will make a few changes for the Harps game on Monday, there are a lot of players that are on the fringes of the starting eleven that are eager to be involved.”

FINN HARPS

Having not registered a win in six and sitting second from bottom in the league, it's been far from plain sailing for Finn Harps so far this season.

In March, their biggest source of inspiration came from goalkeeper Conor Winn and his defensive comrades. But they haven't picked up a clean sheet since the end of March; their biggest strength has quickly regressed to become their most obvious weakness.

And their forward line have failed to step up to fill the void.

Against a Galway side out to score yet more goals, they could well be in for quite a torrid time.

That most recent win came against Cobh Ramblers in the form of a confidence-lifting 5-0 demolition, but that was towards the end of March when things were much rosier.

So, it's difficult to envisage a quick turn-around in fortunes for the Donegal-based club, unless they can spring a shock to go on a cup run; an unlikely event, considering they've never won it before.

The most they look like conjuring is a draw, particularly as that was what they managed at Finn Park when the sides last met.

Either way, it's looking like a tough slog on Monday afternoon.

Referee: Ray Mathews

MATCH STATS

The last time a Galway-based club won the League Cup was in 1997 when First Division's Galway United overcame the top-tier's Cork City 4-2 on aggregate.

Finn Harps dispatched Cockhill Celtic on a score-line of 3-2 to reach the second round of the EA Sports Cup. Sean McCarron and Ruairi Keating, as well as an own-goal from Liam O' Donnell, sealed the victory against a feisty opponent. 

Galway FC beat Mayo League 2-0 in the first round thanks to goals from Marty Owens and Jake Keegan.

BETTING

Galway FC 4/6; Draw 23/10; Finn Harps 4/1

PREDICTION

This one has a Galway win stamped all over it. Although they might not use their strongest starting XI, the Galwegians should still have enough in the tank to see of the challenge of the Harps to make it through to the quarter-finals.

A 2-0 win for Dunne's men.

Galway FC

Injuries: Alan Murphy (ankle)

Doubtful: Ross Kenny (knee)

Suspensions: None

FinnHarps

Injures: None

Doubtful: None

Suspensions: Keith Cowan