19.45 1 May 2015 -
Referee:
League Preview: Galway United -v- St. Patrick's Athletic
- Gareth O'Reilly
- Thu, Apr 30 2015
GALWAY UNITED
Galway welcome 2013 league champions St Patrick’s Athletic to Eamonn Deacy Peark on Friday night as the first round of Premier Division fixtures draws to a close. Kick off, as always, has been pencilled in for 7:45pm.
United are sure to head into this fixture full of confidence after recording their first away victory of the season last Saturday evening in emphatic style, a five nil win over any Premier Division side is something to be proud of.
"After Saturday's fantastic win against Bray Wanderers, there has been a real buzz and tempo in training this week. All of the lads were pleased with the win and now our attention turns to St Pats.”
The game also saw Enda Curran bag a hat-trick as well as that, Padraic Cunningham converted his first league goal for the club.
"We know playing St Patrick's Athletic will be difficult, but we're also looking forward to the challenge that it presents. Pats are a great footballing side and they showed all of their strength and quality against Sligo Rovers last week, winning 3-0 in Inchicore.
"So, we're under no illusions about how tough the game will be. But, we're at home and with a big crowd behind us and a strong support behind the players, we're hopeful of securing the right result. We endeavour to win every home match and Friday will be no different. Our approach will be positive."
So one third of the way in, just how does manager Tommy Dunne reckon his side have done in the opening eleven games: "We would've liked to have more points on the board and I honestly think we've deserved them but we are where we are. I feel like we should have nothing to fear within this league, we have to be more ruthless in our play and I think that's starting to become more evident in recent weeks. We're working on it.
In terms of injury news, Galway issued two pre match bulletins today as the second of those press releases contained some frustrating injury news following Thursday morning’s training session. Marc Ludden and Kevin Garcia the guilty party as they hobbled off the training field with knee and hamstring injuries respectively.
The Tribesmen also have three long term injury victims as Jason Molloy, Andy O’Connell and Killian Cantwell all remain in the physio’s room for some time yet. There is no suspension worries for the newly promoted outfit.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
On a day when the countries public bus service is set to grind to a halt, The Saints bus will be one vehicle that will most certainly be on the road, as this coming Friday they set sail for the West.
A three nil victory over Sligo at Richmond Park last weekend means that Liam Buckley will bring a squad that is high on confidence having not lost a game in over a month.
“We’d a great win last week against Sligo in Richmond Park. I was happy with the result and performance, but we still have some things to improve on. We need to now put together a consistent run of performances and hopefully we can do that in Galway. They’re a good side though so it won’t be easy. But we’ll go there with the aim of performing well and getting the three points.”
Pats are going to have to plan without Cyril Guedje on Friday as the Togo international recovers from a calf strain, while in further bad news Christy Fagan faces a late fitness test on a knee complaint.
Conor O’Malley also spoke to stpatsfc.com before Friday’s much anticipated clash, with the keeper continuing to impress in between the sticks at Inchicore.
“Yeah I’ve really enjoyed the last few weeks in the team. I was nervous in the first few games but I think I’ve got better in the last few games. It’s been good to keep a few clean sheets too as that is what is expected of a goalkeeper. We were all really happy with last week’s win against Sligo, so hopefully we can keep another clean sheet on Friday and get another three points.”
Referee: Jim McKell
MATCH FACTS
Galway’s recent form has seen them keep two clean sheets in their last four fixtures.
Pats last defeat came on March 20th, when current champions Dundalk thrashed the Inchicore men three nil.
Enda Curran currently leads the charts in terms of goalscoring out West although just three other Galway players have managed to notch more than one goal this season.
BETTING
Galway United 5/1; Draw 5/2; St Patrick’s Athletic 8/13.
PREDICTION
Galway United 1 – 2 St Patrick’s Athletic.
Galway United
Injured: Kilian Cantwell (knee), Jason Molloy (broken toe), Andy O'Connell (ankle), Marc Ludden (knee), Kevin Garcia (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
St Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Cyril Guedje (calf).
Doubtful: Christy Fagan (knee).
Suspended: None.
About Gareth O'Reilly
Gareth is the Editor of Extratime.ie. Gareth began as a normal reporter covering games all over Dublin before being asked to help out with behind the scene activities and eventually moving into the role of …