Sligo Rovers vs Galway United

• Alan Dooley
• Sun, Dec 31 1899




Sligo Rovers face a resurgent Galway United side on Saturday night with little more than provincial pride at stake for the home outfit. Paul Cook's men may have ambitions of finishing in fourth or fifth spot, but the visiting team's need for points is infinitely greater as they strive to avoid First Division football next year.

Both team's are on a decent run of form, with Sligo unbeaten in their last three league games while Galway, following their first home win last week, have taken five points from their last three league outings.

The departed Fahrudin Kudozovic was the difference between the sides when they met in the Showgrounds earlier in the year, before United managed to pull off a penalty shoot-out victory en route to the League Cup semi-final. It has been over a decade, though, since travelling fans celebrated a return trip to Galway with three points safely tucked in their back pockets.

Cook will have to do without Chris Butler, while Mauro Almeida is way on international duty for Benin. Steve Feeney is available for selection again after a lengthy injury spell.

Kenna will be forced into making at least one change to a side he has vehemently stuck with since the defeat of Bray in the quarter final of the FAI Cup. Jonathan Keane is suspended following his sending off during last week's triumph, so a recall is expected for Alan Murphy.

Kick off is 2000 and the man with the whistle is Mr Derek Tomney.