League Preview: Galway United -v- Shelbourne

GALWAY UNITED

Seeking to arrest their recent slide of seven games without a win, Galway United face an in-form Shelbourne at Éamonn Deacy Park on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Tribesmen have struggled at home this season with only two wins to their name at the Dyke Road venue with wins over both Wexford and Longford Town.

United have also scored the least amount of goals at home all season in the First Division, with just eight.

Speaking to his club’s media team, Galway manager Alan Murphy is hoping his side can improve from their most recent showing against the Reds.

“We’re very much looking forward to the game. It’s a huge opportunity for my players to test themselves against the experience of Shelbourne.

“Shelbourne have put a huge push into getting into the automatic promotion spot this year, while we’re very much in the infancy of our project, developing local players.

“I felt we ran out of composure in the first game of the season against Shelbourne and displayed a lack of experience late on.

“In the second game, we were the better side in my opinion, creating numerous chances and we were unlucky not go in ahead at half time.

“We made individual errors and conceded a bad goal and capitulated in terms of getting players sent off in the second half, then obviously we found it difficult and a big task against them.”

In terms of team news for Galway, Stephen Walsh and Colin Kelly both return to contention while Maurice Nugent is unavailable due to his involvement with the Irish Colleges and Universities Team.

Conor Barry, Adam Rooney, Iarfhlaith Davoren and Jeff McGowan are all rated as doubtful while Jack Lynch will miss out with injury.

SHELBOURNE

Looking to extend their four-point lead at the top of the First Division, Shelbourne make the trip west to face Galway United in re-run of the Reds opening three-two win over the Tribesmen.

Ian Morris’ side fell two behind before a Ciaran Kilduff inspired comeback saw Shels leave Connacht with all three points.

Wary of Galway’s threat, Shels boss Ian Morris is not expecting anything other than a tough trip to Éamonn Deacy Park.

“Galway “can beat anyone on their day,” the rookie manager said.  

“It’s difficult to judge them on results alone because sometimes you might not get the run of the green. We’ll have prepared properly with video and work on the training pitch.

“You saw the scenes down here last time and the excitement that was created, we’ll hope to recreate that,” he added.

In terms of team news for Shelbourne, Sean Quinn is the only absentee due to his involvement with the Irish Colleges and Universities team.

Shels are unbeaten on their travels since their most recent defeat away to Stradbrook in April.

Referee: Alan Carey.

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne have won their last seven games on the spin, scoring ten and conceding only three in the process.

The Tribesmen are winless in seven games since their last victory which came over Longford Town in May.

Shels have won the last five games against Galway on the spin, with United’s last win over the Reds coming in October 2014.

BETTING

Galway United 7/2; Draw 11/4; Shelbourne 4/7.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1 - 2 Shelbourne.

Galway United

Injured: Jack Lynch.

Doubtful: Conor Barry, Adam Rooney, Jeff McGowan, Iarfhlaith Davoren.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Sean Quinn.