League Preview: Galway -v- Shelbourne

GALWAY

Galway will be looking to for their first win in five games when they host Shelbourne in the Women’s National League at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).

The Tribeswomen had last weekend off and will come into this game hoping to give another good account of themselves after their narrow 1-0 loss to Wexford Youths two weeks ago.

Edel Kennedy scored the only goal of the game in Galway on the day after one slip up by the home side cost them a goal, but an overall impressive defensive display had Stephen Lally’s side looking a lot stronger than they had all season.

Goals will be one major worry for the home side, especially against Shelbourne who will be hungry to keep pressure on Peamount United and Wexford Youths at the top of the table with a win on the banks of the Corrib tomorrow afternoon.

The Reds 5-0 win earlier in the season is sure to be on the home side’s mind when they take the field tomorrow afternoon.

It will be slightly strange for Galway too with the absence of their captain Shauna Fox who departed the club after nearly a decade in maroon for a move to Noel King’s Shelbourne.

The defender made her debut for her new club last weekend when Shelbourne faced Treaty United and could be in line to make her first start for the Reds against her former club.

SHELBOURNE

Every weekend is a big weekend for Shelbourne when the title race is as tight as it is. There’s been little change at the top with the Reds and Peamount United both on equal points and Wexford just a point behind, although Noel King will be pleased that his side have taken the top spot currently with a slightly superior goal difference.

Still, it’s all for nothing if they can’t secure a win against an out of form Galway and keep the pressure on their main rivals who are also in action on Saturday so they will have to be on top of the Tribeswomen from the off on Saturday.

Their form is impeccable of late however, so not many will be expecting any sort of upset tomorrow.

The Reds are unbeaten in ten and that’s with nine wins and just one draw, which was against Wexford Youths.

Add to that, that they have only lost just one game this season, which was against Peamount in April and the challenge facing Galway looks that much greater this weekend.

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne have lost to Galway just once in the WNL. Galway won 3-0 at Tolka Park in March 2016 with Keara Cormican, Shauna Fox and Lucy Hannon all among the goals for the Tribeswomen.

The last time the sides met Shelbourne ran out 5-0 winners over Galway at Tolka Park.

Noel King’s side are on a ten game unbeaten run coming into this weekend.

BETTING

Galway 17/2; Draw 4/1; Shelbourne 1/5 .

PREDICTION

Galway 0–2 Shelbourne

Galway

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.