FAI Cup Preview: Galway United -v- Shamrock Rovers

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen will be looking to provide yet another FAI Cup upset when they host Shamrock Rovers at Éamonn Deacy Park on Friday evening (kick-off at 7.45pm).

Alan Murphy’s side secured their passage to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup thanks to a sensational last 16 win over Cork City.

Conor Melody’s header was enough to see off a poor City, with Murphy’s young guns proving their worth in tonnes throughout the game.

“It’s a really exciting prospect for us to be welcoming Shamrock Rovers to Eamonn Deacy Park for a game of this magnitude,” Murphy told his club’s media team.  

“Rovers performances this season have been excellent, they’re really pushing Dundalk all the way in the league. It’s going to be a tough task for us, but also a great measure for how much our players have developed throughout this season.

“It’s a lose-lose for Shamrock Rovers, it would be the biggest shock of the FAI Cup if we were to turn them over on the night.

“We will give them the respect that they deserve, but we won’t fear them and we will be very much focusing on what we can bring to the table on the night.

“It would be great to see United fans coming out in big numbers to witness a really committed, ambitious and local team.

“We’ve managed to put a few good results and performances together over the last month and it’s refreshing to have a Galway United team that are as passionate and committed as this young group of players.



“The players are really looking forward to playing in front of a bumper Eamonn Deacy Park crowd on Friday night.”

Colin Kelly is Galway’s only confirmed absentee with an ankle injury.  

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will be looking to continue their quest for the FAI Cup when they make the trip to face First Division Galway United on Friday evening.

The Hoops have not won the FAI Cup since 1987, where they defeated Dundalk at Dalymount Park.

With a strong desire from the Rovers fanbase to reclaim the most prestigious domestic cup in Irish football – Stephen Bradley admits their trip westwards is their biggest game of the season so far.



“It’s our biggest game of the year so far. It’s the quarter-final of the Cup so we’re looking forward to it.

“They’re on a really good run of form, they beat Cork in the last round so we’ve got to respect that and be ready for it.

“We won’t approach the game differently to any other game. Galway away will be difficult but it’s a chance for us to get into the next round and that’s obviously our aim.” 

Jack Byrne will be unavailable due to his commitments with the Republic of Ireland while Joey O’Brien also misses out with injury.  

However, Dylan Watts returns to the fold following injury.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

 

MATCH STATS

Galway United’s last win over Shamrock Rovers came all the way back in 2006, when both sides were in the First Division.

Shamrock Rovers reached the last eight of the FAI Cup thanks to a four-goal win over Drogheda United in the previous round.

The Tribesmen won their second round with a surprise one-nil victory over Cork City at Éamonn Deacy Park. Conor Melody’s header on the stroke of half-time was enough to see off the Leesiders.

BETTING

Galway United 17/1; Draw 5/1; Shamrock Rovers 1/8.

PREDICTION

Galway United 0 - 2 Shamrock Rovers

 

Galway United

Injured: Colin Kelly.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Joey O’Brien.

Doubtful: None.

Unavailable: Jack Byrne.

Suspended: None.