Aaron Bolger in action for Galway United against Bohemians. Credit: Jamie McGuinness (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Galway United -v- Waterford
It’s still early days in the Premier Division season but there’s a relegation six pointer at Eamonn Deacy Park with eighth place Galway United hosting bottom of the table Waterford on Monday night (kick-off 8pm).
Galway United
The Tribesmen are three points better off than Waterford coming into this fixture, but they will rue their current position in the table given the number of late goals they have conceded in their six games.
Friday night’s meeting with Bohemians was no different with Patrick Hickey scoring against his former club in the 87th minute to seal the three points.
The disappointment for the Tribesmen was compounded by Matty Wolfe’s miss at the other end of the pitch after a performance by the westerners that deserved at least a point.
"Monday's game is now the biggest game of the season", manager John Caulfield said, speaking to the club’s website.
"We need to put our energy into Monday's game. We need a big crowd on Monday night.
“They know from the start of the season we have a new team but I think they've seen encouraging performances and effort from the team, which is what you want, but we need to turn the screw."
United will presumably still be without Dara McGuinness who is still recovering from a long term injury picked up last season.
They may have some further injury worries after both Killian Brouder and Al Amin Kazeem came off injured in Dalymount Park on Friday night
New signing Frantz Pierrot made a second cameo in Dublin but with it still being just a few minutes it’s unlikely that the striker will start on Monday night.
Waterford
The Blues are still winless after six games of the season; Waterford have just two points having secured draws with Shelbourne and Sligo Rovers.
Waterford will be looking to dust themselves down after a heavy defeat on Friday night which saw Dundalk net five goals at Oriel Park to take the three points.
Monday night will be Jon Daly’s return to Eamonn Deacy Park for the first time since he stepped down as Assistant Manager of Galway United having stepped into the role in the second half of 2025 after the late Ollie Horgan stepped down.
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan
MATCH STATS
Waterford are on a run of three losses coming into Monday night’s game.
The Blues had the superior head to head record across the four meetings between the sides in 2025. They won twice, the sides shared the points on one occasion and last March United claimed a win.
The last time the teams met was the final day of the 2025 season when they drew 1-1 which condemned Waterford to the relegation playoff and secured the Tribesmen’s safety.
PREDICTION
Galway United 1-0 Waterford
Galway United
Injured: Dara McGuinness.
Doubtful: Al Amin Kazeem, Killian Brouder.
Suspended: None.
Waterford
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
About Paul Corcoran
Paul Corcoran is an experienced writer and journalist and has contributed to various publications including the Galway United match programme Maroon View. He spends much of his time covering the fortunes of Galway United's teams …