Shamrock Rovers -v- Galway United

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, May 06 2010


Shamrock Rovers will be looking to continue their climb up the Airtricity Premier Division when they take on Galway United at Tallaght on Friday night. (kick off 8pm)

When these sides last met back in March, Rovers had failed to win any of their opening three games and the natives were getting restless. Wunderkind, Gary Twigg was in the treatment room and a side packed with new faces was struggling to gel.

A 1-0 win that night, courtesy of a Pat Sullivan goal, set them on an unbeaten run of eight league games that only came to an end last Tuesday when a fractious evening at Oriel Park ended in a 2-1 win for Dundalk.

Gary Twigg has returned, scoring four goals in five games, and new signing Thomas Stewart has opened his Rovers account, hitting a brace against St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday night.

On Tuesday’s defeat, Hoops’ manager Michael O’Neill admitted it was “disappointing”, adding, “Dundalk are a good side... but I also felt we didn’t play to the best of our ability in much of the game”

When talking about the visit of Galway O’Neill said, “Galway are having a good season so far, and pulled off one of the biggest results of the league so far when they beat Bohemians 3-2 in Dalymount in April. That win, coupled with some other good results, means we will be in for a tough battle on the pitch tonight.”

These are not just idle words. Galway United are starting to enjoy their season. While their defeat against the Hoops was their third in four games and pre-season predictions of a relegation battle were looking entirely accurate, things have since improved markedly.

The Tribesmen have profited from the new strike partnership of ex- Everton man, Karl Sheppard and Anto Flood which has yielded eight goals in their last seven league outings. Wins have come against Bohemians, Drogheda and Bray while UCD, Sporting Fingal and Sligo Rovers have all been held to draws.

Rovers will again be missing Pat Sullivan for Friday’s clash and there are also doubts over Thomas Stewart and Chris Turner. But O’Neill hopes to have central defender Craig Sives back.



Shamrock Rovers
Injured:Pat Sullivan.
Doubtful:Thomas Stewart; Chris Turner.
Suspended:James Chambers.

Galway United
Injured:Ciaran Foley (Groin), Derek O’ Brien (Stomach), Alan Murphy (Long-term)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

Referee: Neil Doyle

Extratime prediction: Home win, 2-1.