League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Galway United

CABINTEELY

First Division Cabinteely will be looking to fire themselves right back into the title picture with a win over Galway United at Stradbrook on Monday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Green and White’s come into Monday’s showdown against the Tribesmen following a two-nil win over Shamrock Rovers II at Tallaght Stadium.

A penalty from former Hoop Kevin Knight and a header from talismanic defender Conor Keeley gave Cabo all three points on Friday evening.

The result saw Cabo move above both Longford Town and UCD in the playoff positions – and they remain just three points behind league leaders Bray Wanderers.

The South Dubliners will now head into a week with two games in the space of five days – and their manager Pat Devlin is hoping that his side can collect six points from the two fixtures.

“They are going to be two very similar games. We beat Galway earlier in the season. But since John Caulfield has gone in there, Galway are a very good team and very difficult to beat. So, it’s going to be tough,” he told his club’s media team.

“Wexford – against us - is always a tough game. It’s a big week for us. Hopefully, we achieve our aim of six points. It’s not going to be an easy run-in from now until the end of the season.”

Cabinteely have not listed any injuries to their panel while they do have no suspension issues to contend with.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to continue their unlikely charge to the First Division playoffs when they visit Cabinteely on Monday evening at Stradbrook.

The Tribesmen – should they win – may find themselves in the playoff positions on Monday night.

And while there is a much being made of the run Galway are on, their manager John Caulfield is wary of the challenge that Cabo pose to his side.

“Cabinteely have led from the front for most of the season, they've had a bit of a blip over the last three or four weeks, but they rectified that on Friday night with a win against Shamrock Rovers,” he told his club’s media team.

“Pat Devlin has been around the league a long time; he's been building them up and he will be targeting the automatic promotion place.

“At the back they have Knight, Keeley and Carlin, powerful men. Then in midfield the subtlety of Kinsella. They're very strong from set pieces and they put teams under a lot of pressure.

“We're on a great run, the lads have responded well to what we're asking of them. Monday will be a different challenge for us, Cabinteely are probably one of the most physically strong and tall teams in the league and they play quite direct.”

Long term absentees Micheál Schlingermann, Conor Melody, Joshua Smith and Cian Murphy remained side-lined for United while there are doubts over the fitness of Conor Barry and Donal Higgins.

Referee: Mark Moynihan.

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely won the previous meeting between the two sides – winning two-nil at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Galway United have only lost once at Stradbrook before – and it came in March of last year. At the South Dublin venue, Galway have won two of their three games.

The Tribesmen have yet to lose a league game under new manager John Caulfield – winning four of their previous five games.

BETTING

Cabinteely 6/5; Draw 21/10; Galway United 2/1.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1 - 0 Galway United

Cabinteely

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: Joshua Smith, Michael Schlingermann, Conor Melody, Cian Murphy.

Doubtful: Donal Higgins, Conor Barry.

Suspended: None.