League Preview: Galway United -v- Cabinteely

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they host Cabinteely at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

John Caulfield’s side left it late to claim victory against Athlone Town last week having gone behind in the 24^th minute courtesy of a Shane Barnes goal.

Ruairí Keating netted twice for the Tribesmen in the second half, with the winning goal coming in the 93^rd minute, to give the home side the three points on the night.

United’s manager is aware of the challenge that awaits on Friday night with the visit of Pat Devlin’s Cabinteely.

“Cabinteely are always a hard-working team and always difficult to beat,” Caulfield told the club’s media team.

“They went down to Cork last week and had a fantastic result. They are ahead of us on the table, we know they are a very solid and tight unit, who like to play on the counter-attack.

“It was brilliant to get a late goal against Athlone Town last Friday to secure three important points. We know that we haven’t been able to put consecutive wins together. So that is a challenge we have to see can we turnaround.

“To get the victory after going behind was pleasing; it was the first game where we won after going behind. That will give confidence, but I have no doubt, I keep saying it every week, there is very little between all of the teams.

In terms of team news, Francely Lomboto and Ronan Manning are still absent with long term injuries for the Tribesmen while Stephen Walsh will serve the last game of his suspension on Friday night.

CABINTEELY

Cabinteely returned to winning ways last weekend when they face Cork City at Turners Cross.

The Dublin side ran out 2-0 winners with goals coming from Vilius Labutis and Jordan Payne.

With Galway United just two points behind Cabinteely, the side will be looking to prevent a loss on Friday night in what should be a stern test west of the Shannon.

“It was a great win in Cork. The players worked really hard for it. We have had a good week’s training. Hopefully, we can take that into the Galway game,” Cabo’s first team coach Eddie Gormley said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“It’s going to be a tough game. Galway are a good side. They are full-time outfit. We’re going to have to match their fitness levels like we did last week to get any sort of a positive result.”

Pat Devlin will be without Andy O’Brien for the trip to Galway, Adam Hayden is also absent for the Dublin side.

Referee: Mark Moynihan

MATCH STATS

Galway and Cabinteely have only faced each other eight times since the Dublin club’s inaugural season in the League of Ireland. United have only lost two of those meetings. A 1-0 defeat in Stradbrook last March.

The sides were to face each other for a ninth time in the League of Ireland earlier this season but the game was abandoned due to Cabinteely being unable to field a team due to Covid-19. Galway Untied were awarded a 3-0 win.

Cabinteely claimed the three points during their last visit to Galway with goals from Kevin Knight and Shane Barnes enough to give the Dublin side their first ever win in Deacy Park.

If Galway win on Friday night they will move ahead of Cabinteely and into the playoff spots in the First Division.

BETTING

Galway United 2/5; Draw 10/3; Cabinteely 5/1.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–1 Cabinteely

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Stephen Walsh.

Cabinteely

Injured: Andy O’Brien, Adam Hayden.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.