League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Galway United

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers host Galway United as St Colman’s Park on Friday night in what will be both sides’ last game before the enforced summer break (kick-off 7.45pm).

Things have begun to look a little more positive for the Rams in the past couple of weeks after a difficult first half of the season.

An Ian Turner strike inflicted a shock defeat on in-form Bray Wanderers in their last home game, two weeks ago.

And goals from Kevin Taylor and Jaze Kabia earned Stephen Henderson’s side a point away to Cabinteely last week, Jack Watson equalizing late for Cabo.

Taylor’s strike after three minutes was quickly cancelled out by Rob Manley, but the Rams led for an hour after Kabia made it 2-1 and will be disappointed not have held out.

Cobh were without the likes of Cian Leonard, Brian Murphy and Shane O’Connor in Cabinteely but the club haven’t released team news.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United head to St Colman’s Park in hope of ending a run of five games without a win to take them into the summer break.

Alan Murphy’s side looked to be on course to correct that particular record in Limerick a week ago when they took a 1-0 lead into half time.

Shane Doherty’s second goal in as many games put the Tribesmen in front but two goals in nine second-half minutes from Connor Ellis and Kieran Hanlon swung the tie.

Galway face a third away trip on the bounce as they look to get a win on the board that would see them leapfrog the Rams on goal difference.

"Cobh Ramblers are going to be a difficult task for us with the form that they're in," Murphy told the club’s website.

"It's always a tough place to go and they're picking up points and performing quite well at the moment. We need to perform on the night ourselves.

“We've got to learn from last week's result in Limerick, where we scored the first goal in the game and had a good first half performance, but also a very poor second half.

"We need to learn how to manage games like that and how to grow in character.

“We've been putting in some very decent performances for halves but we need to put in a performance for the entire game.

“We're very inexperienced at times. We're encountering situations that these players haven't experienced before at this level, but we're learning from them."

Galway’s lengthy injury list has only gotten longer this week as Iarfhlaith Davoren and Conor Barry limped off in Limerick, while Marc Ludden picked up a suspension.

Andrew Peters (ankle), Adam Rooney (foot), Joe Collins (knee), Jeff McGowan (hamstring) and Matthew Barrett (knee) are also out.

Donal Higgins and Colin Kelly are unavailable due to Leaving Cert commitments and, despite returning to full training after a cruciate tear, Conor Layng likely won’t be risked.

Referee: Paula Brady

MATCH STATS

Cobh Ramblers and Galway United sit seventh and eighth in the First Division respectively, with the Rams on 16 points and Galway 13 after 16 games.

The sides have met once so far this season, with Cobh winning 2-1 at Eamonn Deacy Park thanks to Jaze Kabia and a Maurice Nugent own goal.

In three meetings last season, Galway United won twice (3-0 at Deacy Park and 2-1 at St Colman’s) while the third game was drawn 0-0 in Cobh.

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 11/8; Draw 23/10; Galway United 13/8.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 2 – 2 Galway United

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Unavailable.

Galway United

Injured: Andrew Peters (ankle), Adam Rooney (foot), Joe Collins (knee), Jeff McGowan (hamstring), Matthew Barrett (knee).

Doubtful: Conor Layng (cruciate).

Suspended: Marc Ludden.

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