League Preview: Galway -v- Shamrock Rovers B

GALWAY FC

With two draws since the end of the mid-season break, Galway FC will be aiming for all three points when they welcome Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ to Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday evening in the Airtricity League First Division. Kick off 7.45pm.

A 0-3 defeat by Longford Town at home was followed by a disappointing 1-1 to Waterford United last week. The Blues were down to ten men but managed to draw level with only minutes remaining. The Tribesmen’s learning curve continues in the first division and Tommy Dunne’s players must become a more ruthless side if promotion is to be achieved.

In team news, a blow for Friday’s hosts is the absence of central defender Martin Connelly who misses the game with an ankle injury while Ryan Manning’s wrist injury keeps him out of the side. Ross Kenny and Marty Owens are now bound for the United States while Cian McFadden is still tied up with work commitments.

Tommy Dunne is well aware a win is needed if Galway Fc are to have any real chance of going up.

“We have got to be looking at picking up wins to keep in touch with the leaders but also to stay ahead of the chasing pack.”

The last time the sides met at Eamonn Deacy Park the result was 1-1 but the home side missed countless opportunities to win the game. Expect Galway to go one better on Friday night.

SHMAROCK ROVERS ‘B’

The last time Rovers B picked up any points worth mentioning was at home to Galway FC in a 1-1 and a 0-0 draw a week later to Shels.

Since then the Dublin side have lost all five league matches. Their heaviest defeat was a 6-0 thumping at the hand of Longford Town and, Cobh Ramblers put three past Colin Hawkins’ team before the mid-season break to add insult to injury. That was Cobh’s first win of the season too.

It was going rosy for the Tallaght side in the early stages of the league but Rovers ‘B’ has not won a game since end of April. One has to wonder what has gone with the team in the space of a few short months.

Rovers B are seven points clear of bottom-placed Cobh but seven points adrift of Waterford United. Hawkins will take a point on Friday night, but Galway’s attack, if it gets going, will scupper any chances of that happening.

Referee: Robert Hennessey

MATCH STATS

Both previous encounters ended in draws.

Rovers B have won once away from home all season.

Galway FC have lost three and drawn two of eight home games this season.

BETTING

Galway Fc 1/3; Draw 3/1; Shamrock Rovers B 10/1 .

PREDICTION

Galway FC 2-0 Shamrock Rovers ‘B’

Galway FC

Injured: Martin Connelly, Ryan Manning, Alan Murphy

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers ‘B’

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Unknown