- Paul Corcoran
- Sun, Sep 24 2023
GALWAY UNITED
The Galway faithful will be welcoming their team back to Galway as First Division champions for their meeting with Finn Harps on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
United clinched promotion back to the Premier Division with a comprehensive victory over Kerry on Friday night in front of a large travelling support at Mounthawk Park.
John Caulfield’s men needed just one point to confirm their First Division title when they travelled to Tralee and they were sent on their way when Wassim Aouachira opened the scoring for Galway in the 28th minute.
David Hurley doubled the scoring in the 73rd minute before Francely Lomboto added a third in the 85th minute.
The forward won a penalty late in the game with Hurley converting from the spot once again for the fourth game of the season.
The victory means Galway will finally bring an end to their six year stint in the First Division when the finish their campaign at home to Wexford next month.
United still have some things to chase – there is still a possibility that they will win all of their home matches this season, and they will also be busy preparing for an FAI Cup semi final against Bohemians in two weeks time.
Having put six goals past Harps when they visited Galway earlier this season they will be hoping for more of the same as they get to celebrate in front of their home fans – although it remains to be seen just how much they celebrated on Friday night and if they will change things up to rest players ahead of their big cup game on the 7th of October.
FINN HARPS
From a club riding high, to another at an extreme low point. Having suffered relegation last year, Harps sit second from bottom with a slim chance at making the playoffs this year.
Manager Dave Rogers stepped down in the wake of their 5-1 defeat to Cobh Ramblers rubber stamping what has been a disappointing season for Harps.
Despite opening the scoring against Cobh Ramblers on Friday night through Patrick Ferry, Shane Keegan’s men fought back and scored five goals to secure a big win at St Colman’s Park.
That defeat brings the number of consecutive games without a win to seven for the Donegal side, and with no manager in place and with the side effectively out of the playoffs they could have a challenging few weeks ahead up to the end of the season.
It might well sting that a former long term manager will be sitting in the dugout of Monday’s opponents with Ollie Horgan preparing for a return to the Premier Division next season with Galway United.
Referee: Adriano Reale
MATCH STATS
Galway United have won all their home games so far this season – that’s 14 wins in a row in Eamonn Deacy Park this year.
Harps are on a seven game streak without a win coming into Monday night’s game.
The last time Finn Harps came to Galway the home side ran out 6-0 winners.
PREDICTION
Galway United 2–0 Finn Harps
Galway United
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
Finn Harps
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: Noe Baba.
