League Preview: Galway United -v- Treaty United

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen head into unknown territory this weekend when Treaty United visit Eamonn Deacy Park for the first time on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

It’s been a difficult opening few weeks of the 2021 season for Galway with a draw to a ten man Shelbourne and a disappointing loss to Athlone Town to their name so far.

Fortunes changed somewhat for the club when it was announced that they were technically awarded their first win of the season after Cabinteely failed to field a team last Friday night due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad.

That being said John Caulfield’s men will be desperately looking to prove themselves on the pitch this Friday night.

The manager was in praise of Treaty ahead of the game and he recognized the challenge the Limerick side pose for his charges.

“Treaty United have made a very impressive start to the season so it should be a really interesting match,” Caulfield told the club’s media team.

“You have so many connections between the two clubs: we have Killian Brouder and Shane Duggan, who are from Limerick, while Marc Ludden and Jack Lynch were part of our squad last year that had such a great run in the playoffs.

“The majority of Tommy Barrett’s squad are from that Limerick/Clare area so he has a good local element. You can see that in their early performances, that there is plenty of physicality, plenty of energy, and plenty of enthusiasm; a lot of skill too.

“We are under no illusions about the game; we have seen how good they are, but at the same time it is up to us to make sure we put in a good performance.

“Last week’s postponement was frustrating. It happened, we got back into training on Saturday and now all of our focus is on Treaty.

“Ultimately, it is about making sure that we give a good display against them on Friday night.”

Francely Lomboto is still absent with a broken leg, with Caoilfhionn O’Dea also absent for the Tribesmen. Conor O’Keeffe, Killian Brouder and Padraic Cunningham are all doubts going into Friday night.

TREATY UNITED

Treaty are set to face Galway United for the first time with a large contingent of former Galway United players in tow.

The Limerick side have shown themselves to be a tough side to break down so far this season, despite the protracted nature of their squad building and pre-season.

Tommy Barrett’s side are possibly performing above expectations so far this season having gone unbeaten in their first three games.

The one bad point for the club is the undesirable record of having a player sent off in each of their three First Division games with Sean McSweeney, Clyde O’Connell and Charlie Fleming all seeing red already this season.

Referee: David Keeler

MATCH STATS

This will be the first meeting between the two sides with Treaty United playing their inaugural campaign in the League of Ireland this year.

Treaty are yet to be beaten in the League of Ireland having drawn two games against Bray Wanderers and Cobh Ramblers and beating Wexford so far this season.

A total of 5 Treaty players could be in line to face their former club on Friday night with Tadhg Ryan, Jack Lynch, Marc Ludden, Conor Melody and Joe Collins all part of the Limerick club this season.

BETTING

Galway United 8/13; Draw 11/4; Treaty United 3/1.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–0 Treaty United

Galway United

Injured: Francely Lomboto, Caoilfhionn O’Dea.

Doubtful: Conor O’Keeffe, Killian Brouder, Padraic Cunningham.

Suspended: None.

Treaty United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Clyde O’Connell.