League Preview: Limerick -v- Galway United

LIMERICK

Troubled Limerick could end the day as high as fourth in the First Division should they find their way past Galway United at the Market’s Field (kick-off 6.30pm).

Tommy Barrett’s side have shrugged off non-payment of wages and expenses and an investigation into suspicious betting patterns to win three of their last five games.

That run of ten points from 15 points has lifted the Super Blues up to sixth, behind Bray Wanderers only on goal difference.

Limerick were disappointed to return from downtrodden Athlone Town with just a point last week as they failed to see of a side who’d lost nine of their last ten games.

Kealan Dillon had given the home side the lead midway through the first half and, though the Blues equalised through Conor Ellis, they couldn’t find a winner in the final half-hour.

Limerick do not provide team news and the league have not provided a list of suspensions.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United’s upturn in form has hit a bit of a roadblock in recent weeks with just one point from their last four games.

A scoreless draw with Cabinteely on Friday was followed up by a narrow 2-1 defeat to promotion-chasing Longford Town on Monday night.

The rescheduled game looked to be getting away from Alan Murphy’s side early on as they conceded two goals, to Dean Byrne and Sam Verdon, inside 20 minutes.

An improved second-half performance, however, saw Shane Doherty halve the deficit with his second goal of the season, but Longford managed to hold out for a win.

"The lads will learn hugely from the Longford game," Murphy told the club’s media team.

"They will see that 20 minutes of damage can dictate and decide a game. After that opening period, I thought we were the side that were going forward and creating the chances in the game.

"We gave ourselves too much to do and we just couldn't get that second goal. We're coming up against an experienced Limerick side on Saturday, who have done well so far.

"We have to be on our game. We have to start the game properly. We shouldn't react, we should be proactive in our approach to the game.

"It's a learning curve for a lot of these players. They're possibly just realising what it means to try and perform week in, week out.

"It's good to be working with a group that are trying so hard."

Conor Melody serves the final game of a three-match ban, however Murphy will be without Leaving Cert students Donal Higgins and Colin Kelly plus a laundry list of injured players.

Andrew Peters (ankle), Adam Rooney (foot), Joe Collins (knee), Jeff McGowan (hamstring) and Conor Layng (cruciate ligament) all miss out with injury.

Referee: Ray Matthews.

MATCH STATS

The one previous meeting between the sides this season saw Limerick run out 1-0 winners at Eamonn Deacy Park thanks to Sean McSweeney’s first-half strike.

BETTING

Limerick 10/11; Draw 23/10; Galway United 23/10.

PREDICTION

Limerick 0 – 2 Galway United

Limerick

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Unavailable.

Galway United

Injured: Andrew Peters (ankle), Adam Rooney (foot), Joe Collins (knee), Jeff McGowan (hamstring) and Conor Layng (cruciate ligament).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Conor Melody.

Unavailable: Donal Higgins, Colin Kelly (Leaving Cert).