League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Galway United

St Patrick’s Athletic welcome Galway United to Richmond Park for a League of Ireland Premier Division mid-table crunch clash on Friday night. The Saints find themselves one position and three points behind 7^th placed Galway and a home win would see them swap places. Meanwhile the Tribesmen will be looking to build on their victory over champions Dundalk last week and a win or draw could see them move above Sligo Rovers into fifth place.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Patrick’s Athletic will be looking to build on their impressive 3-1 over Shamrock Rovers last Monday in the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup as they are now one game away from successfully defending the title they won last year.

However, attention will now turn back to the league and Liam Buckley will be hoping that his team can muster up the full three points following a 1-1 draw away to Derry City last week.

Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of Friday's game, Liam Buckley spoke of his delight at the side's victory over the Hoops last Monday, while also expressing his desire that his side move on and focus on their league campaign. 

"Beating Rovers and getting into another EA Sports Cup final was great for the team and the players worked really hard so I was delighted that their efforts were rewarded. However, we've got to move on now and focus on the job at hand on Friday," Buckley admitted. 

"We've had two tough games against Galway this year and the results have differed greatly. Galway had a tremendous win last week over Dundalk, so they're in good form and will again be difficult opposition once more. Tommy [Dunne] is doing a great job there again so we'll have to be at it from the go in order to get a result." 

Having scored in the Saints' 3-0 win over Galway back in May, defender Sean Hoare told stpatsfc.com that while the result suggests a comfortable win, it was far from it with Hoare praising the battling spirit of Galway. 

"The two games we've had with Galway this year couldn't have contrasted more. The first game of the season we played well in for the first hour and we just lost our way after that and they punished us. Second game was really tight and then we scored a couple of goals and came away 3-0 winners," Hoare admitted. 

"Looking to Friday though as a stand alone game, we know we've got to beat the teams around us so if we perform to the standard that the lads on Monday produced against Shamrock Rovers, we can get result. Galway have been going well as they showed against Dundalk last week, but at home we know we can get a result if we just do our stuff." 

David Cawley will miss out due to an injury to his collarbone as will Sam Verdon who suffered a concussion against Shamrock Rovers during the week while Keith Tracey faces a late fitness test to determine whether he will feature.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway pulled off a huge victory last week, defeating current Champions and European football bound Dundalk 1-0 thanks to former St Pat’s striker Vinny Faherty continuing his sublime form this season with the all-important winner.

They now look to push on from that victory and claim another three points against St Pat’s with a Europa League spot still the current target.

Tommy Dunne has called on his side to maintain their focus heading into this clash and that three points are more than achievable for the Tribesman.

"Both mindsets will be similar," Dunne explained. 

"If St. Pats win, then they're level with us and if we win, we go six points clear. From both camps, it's a must-win game if there are any aspirations of doing anything in the league.

"We're heading into the final phase of matches and we will be looking to get a points haul similar to the first phase, but it's easier said than done.

"We're now coming into the stage of the season where it's hotting up. It's a really important time for all the clubs. It's all happening now and it leads us into the last phase with interest.

"We feel if we can perform to the level that we're capable of and we can improve on our performances in certain areas, especially when we are in possession, then we can give ourselves a good chance at Richmond Park.

"If you don't put a run together then you won't challenge, you have to be consistent in your play and results."

Vinny Faherty's deft header on the stroke of 45 sealed the points for Galway United against his former side Dundalk, but the Moycullen native was keen for the Tribesmen to build on the result when they travel to the Stadium of Light on Friday.

"It was great, but I'm not trying to bring it down or anything - we just need to back that up now," he asserted.

"We dropped points against Longford, but it was great to win against Dundalk. Now we need to move on to Pat's to get another three points to try to move on up the table.

"It is up to us as a squad to keep it up, to keep building. We have a great stadium, we have a good fan base, it is a great town. There is no reason why Galway United shouldn't be one of the top clubs in the country. It is up to us to push the club right up there."

Jesse Devers misses out due to a broken hand while Padraic Cunnigham is also absent due to a groin problem.

Referee: Ray Matthews.

MATCH STATS

This is their third meeting of the season with Galway winning the first tie 3-1 while St Pat’s won the May fixture 3-0 meaning tonight’s fixture is beautifully poised in terms of the head-to-head record.

This is St Pat’s first game in Richmond Park in four games. They shouldn’t get to close to home however as their next two trips are away to Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers.

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 11/10; Draw 23/10; Galway United 12/5

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Galway United

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: David Cawley, Sam Verdon

Doubtful: Keith Tracey

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: Jesse Devers, Padraic Cunningham

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.