EA SPORTS Cup Match Preview v Bohemians

GALWAY UNITED HAVE REDUCED ADMISSION PRICES FOR THIS FIXTURE. FULL DETAILS HERE. 

Galway United welcome Bohemians back to Eamonn Deacy Park for a second clash on Monday evening, just three days after the sides met in an enthralling league encounter by the banks of the Corrib, which ended 5-3 in favour of the home side.

United’s start to the second series of games has been encouraging, the Tribesmen have won both of their opening fixtures and United boss Tommy Dunne insists progression into the semi-final of the EA SPORTS Cup would be a fantastic achievement for the club in its first year back in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

Bohemians route to the quarter final of the EA Sport Cup has been relatively comfortable, the Gypsies made short work of midlanders Athlone Town and Longford Town, while Galway United knocked out two Donegal outfits in Finn Harps and Cockhill Celtic at Eamonn Deacy Park.

DUNNE LOOKING FOR A REPEAT OF FRIDAY NIGHT’S HEROICS
“Friday was a fairly frantic, physical affair,” Dunne told www.galwayunitedfc.ie.

“We’ve to go against Bohemians again now on Monday to get to the EA SPORTS Cup semi-final. It’s a tough ask for both clubs but we’re looking forward to it greatly.

“We know Bohemians are going to have a good-go at us after the other night. They’ll be looking to turn us over but we’ll be concentrating on progressing to the semi-final. We’ve got to make sure that we’re focused on the game and that we work as hard as we did the other night, if not harder.

“It’s a tough ask for both squads to play again so quickly, but I don’t think Bohemians have the same injury concerns that we have. It might allow Keith Long to change it up a bit and give them a fresher look.

“Whereas we’re sort of tight on bodies at the moment and even the players that are returning are just back from injury so we have to be very careful with them and we don’t want to rush them.

“We get out there, we play the game, there’s no excuses. The guys will be ready, they’ll be up for it and they’ll be hungry and we’ll be making sure that we’re doing our work right to win the match.

“It would be fantastic if we could progress. Again, I’ll stress that we’re up against one of the top teams in the country so we’ve got to make sure that we’re at the same level of intensity as they are.

“The prize is big, to progress to the semi-final. If you can get to the semi-final, anything can happen. We’re not naive or stupid enough to think that we’re doing great just because we’re winning a few games and getting a few results here and there. We’ve got to keep it going and let our football do the talking.”

TEAM NEWS
Gary Shanahan could be in line for a return to action against Bohemians, the Newcastlewest native came on as a second-half substitute against the Gypsies on Friday and the wound on his forehead is healing.

Alex Byrne returns from a two-match suspension.

Jason Molloy’s broken toe is healing well and he will be in contention against Bohemians.

Marc Ludden (knee) is rated as doubtful.

Kilian Cantwell (knee), Andy O’Connell (ankle), Sam Oji (hip), Ger Hanley (groin) and Conor Barry (hamstring) are all continuing their rehabilitation and they aren’t expected to play any part against Bohemians.

REFEREE
Padraigh Sutton (Clare)

FORM GUIDE
Galway United: LWLWW

Bohemians: DWDWL

LAST MEETING
May 15th, 2015: Galway United 5-3 Bohemians

Goalscorers
Galway United: Enda Curran x2, Padraic Cunningham, Ryan Connolly, Jake Keegan

Bohemians: Paddy Kavanagh, Dean Kelly, Adam Evans

PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS
Karl Moore

ROUTE TO THE EA SPORTS CUP QUARTER-FINAL
Galway United
March 9th: Galway United 3-2 Finn Harps
April 6th: Galway United 4-2 Cockhill Celtic

Bohemians
March 10th: Bohemians 3-0 Athlone Town
April 7th: Bohemians 3-1 Longford Town

GALWAY UNITED EA SPORTS CUP GOALSCORERS
Padraic Cunningham – 3
Gary Shanahan – 2
Jake Keegan – 1
Andy O’Connell – 1