League Preview: Galway -v- Wexford

Fifth-placed Galway play host to ninth-placed Wexford in a First Division clash. (Kick-off at Eamon Deacy Park is 7:45 PM)

GALWAY FC

The Tribesmen come into this game off the back of a postponed away clash with Finn Harps last Friday, which was due to a waterlogged pitch up in Ballybofey.

On April 2^nd, they did play at home to Sligo Rovers in an EA SPORTS Cup Second Round clash, losing 0-1, having been the better side throughout.

In an interview with his club’s official website, Keegan was in complimentary mood about his former employers when previewing Friday night’s game.

“Obviously I worked alongside Damian Locke at Wexford for a long time. He’s a fella I’m close to. In terms of players, very few of Wexford’s current team played under me while I was manager there.”

On his own side, he assessed their season so far and wants a good performance from them on Friday night.

“After two of our games were postponed, we have games in hand and that’s all they are, they’re not guaranteed points. We need to grab every opportunity and we need as many points as we can get.

“I’m almost as determined for our performance to be right on the night. In this division, you’ve got to give your supporters a reason to turn up every Friday night.

“We need to get back among the goals at our home venue again.”

WEXFORD FC

Following a 1-1 home draw with Cobh Ramblers last Friday night, with the Wexford goal coming from Aaron Dobbs in the seventh minute, after his side went behind two minutes previously, Wexford are coming into this game in buoyant form.

When reflecting on the Cobh game, boss Damien Locke was happy enough that his charge’s arrested the slump of losing four games in-a-row.

"I was reasonably happy with our performance against Cobh and felt the result was a fair reflection on the game.”

On Friday night’s opponents, Locke is relishing the opportunity of travelling to the west of Ireland and facing Galway.

“I'm looking forward to it. It’s a great facility for the boys to go play in. We'll go into it and prepare like every other game.

“Everyone should be available apart from Conor Sutton and Owen McCormack but we'll see after training tonight how everyone is.

“It was good to see Conor Sutton back in Ferrycarrig last week doing some light training after his pre-season injury and hopefully he'll be available for selection soon enough.”

Referee: Paula Brady

MATCH STATS

Galway are unbeaten in the First Division this season, winning two and drawing three from their five games played. Wexford have a record of one win, one draw and four losses from their six games.

Both sides have met each other eleven times competitively, with 4 wins apiece and 3 draws. There have been 3.5 goals per game in those eleven fixtures.

The sides last met in the Premier Division in 2016, playing each other three times. Galway beat Wexford 2-0 at Ferrycarrig Park in the first game.

Eamonn Deacy Park was the host of the second game, with Galway winning 4-2. In the final game, Wexford beat the Tribesmen 5-4 in a thriller at Ferrycarrig Park.

Galway have some very familiar faces to Wexford football fans in their ranks, none more so than Rosslare man and former Wexford striker Danny Furlong along with former manager Shane Keegan.

BETTING

Galway FC 3/10; Draw 10/3; Wexford FC 7/1

PREDICTION

Galway FC 3–1 Wexford FC

Galway FC

Injured: Adam Conway (groin).

Doubtful: Ronan Manning, Adam Rooney (College call-ups).

Suspended: None.

Wexford FC

Injured: Conor Sutton, Owen McCormack.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.