19.45 5 Jun 2015 -
Referee:
League Preview: Galway United -v- Cork City
- John O'Shea
- Fri, Jun 05 2015
GALWAY UNITED
Galway United will be seeking to maintain their recent spell of good form, when they host second placed Cork City at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.
Galway manager Tommy Dunne will be looking to prove a point and get one over City, where he was the manager from 2010 to 2013.
It will be a tough game for United, but they will take confidence from the fact that they have won their last three games at home.
Speaking ahead of the clash with his former employers, Dunne said,
“In Cork City, we’re facing one of the top sides in the country so we know that we’ve got to improve our levels of performance and that we’ll need to be going at full-tilt to get a positive result against them.
“Our performances against Drogheda United and North End weren’t acceptable and they weren’t at the required standard but I’ve got no doubts about the player’s commitment and hunger to do well for Galway United. I expect to see an improvement.”
In team news, Galway will be without Andy O’Connell, who is out with a foot injury. Elsewhere, Stephen Walsh went over on his knee in training and he will be assessed prior to kick off. Antaine O’Laoi will be unavailable because he is currently sitting his Leaving Certificate exams.
CORK CITY
Cork City will be aiming to keep up the pressure on Premier Division leaders Dundalk, when they make the trip to Galway on Friday.
Cork will be looking get among the goals and there is a good chance that this game will have a few. Eamonn Deacy Park has seen more goals scored than any other in the division.
City have been picking up the right results and they will need to keep up the pressure and be ready should Dundalk given them a chance to close the gap.
Speaking ahead of the game, first team coach John Cotter declared that City are heading to Galway to pick up all three points.
“They (Galway) have had a go in every game they have played. They are a good side and obviously Tommy (Dunne) is the manager there and he knows this club well. Once we play well, prepare right and go out with the right attitude, I would back our lads. We have confidence that we can go anywhere and win, so we will go there looking for the three points.”
John Caulfield’s side have yet to taste defeat away from home so far this season, recording five wins and four draws on the road.
City had Alan Bennett and Danny Morrissey back in training this week and they will be assessed ahead of the game. John Dunleavy and Kieran Djilali will both be out for the game though, both are sidelined with knee injuries.
Referee: David McKeon.
MATCH STATS
Galway United are the only side in the Premier Division yet to draw a league game this season.
The last time the sides faced each other in Galway, they played out a 2-2 draw. Davin O’Neil and Billy Dennehy got the goals for City, while a brace from Vinny Faherty ensured there would be a share of the spoils.
Cork’s Karl Sheppard won the SWAI player of the month award while he was with Galway United, picking up the accolade in April 2010.
BETTING
Galway United 4/1; Draw 27/10; Cork City 4/6.
PREDICTION
Galway United 1-2 Cork City.
Galway United
Injured: Andy O’Connell.
Doubtful: Stephen Walsh.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Antaine O’Laoi (Leaving Cert).
Cork City
Injured: John Dunleavy, Kieran Djilali.
Doubtful: Alan Bennett, Danny Morrissey.
Suspended: None.
About John O'Shea
John is a Cork based reporter, mainly covering Cork City and Cobh Ramblers. John also reports regularly on Munster Senior League and Cork Youths League football for the Evening Echo. John has also freelanced for …