MATCH PREVIEW | Longford Town

Galway United host Longford Town at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

United produced an impressive display in the FAI Cup against North End United last week, winning 4-0 at the Wexford venue.

In-form duo Eoin McCormack (hat-trick) and Conor Barry banged in the goals for Alan Murphy’s side at Ferrycarrig Park.

Friday’s opponents Longford Town also enjoyed FAI Cup success, knocking Sligo Rovers out for the second year in a row at the Showgrounds.

Both sides come into Friday’s crucial game at Eamonn Deacy Park knowing that three points will be required to stay in touch with the sides in the play-off positions.

ALAN MURPHY ON MUST-WIN MEETING WITH LONGFORD TOWN
“It’s a must-win game,” Murphy explained to www.galwayunitedfc.ie.

“It’s a home game and we’ll be heading into it in a very positive light.

“The facts are, yes we fell apart a bit against Drogheda in the second half, but we’re unbeaten since the UCD game and we have to look at it that way.

“We’re going to be going into the Longford game with a very positive mindset, very much on the front foot, trying to create chances and bring the game to them.

“We’ve had a good week of training, it’s been positives vibes and the confidence is up after a good result in the FAI Cup.

“I’d hope that there will be a crowd out and a bit of a twelfth man factor in terms of getting the players confident and creating an atmosphere for us to get momentum on the night, so that we can play in a style that will be attractive and that our supporters can identify with.

“It’s a nice time of the season, it’s a must-win game and it’s nice to have it at home. The minimum requirement for any team that I send out on the pitch will be 90 minutes of endeavour and commitment and hard work.”

TEAM NEWS
Long term absentees Conor Layng (cruciate) and Maurice Nugent (ankle) both remain sidelined.

Gary Shanahan (foot) and Alan Murphy (foot) also miss out.

Conor Melody returns to United’s squad after spending the last two months in the United States. The midfielder trained this week and will go straight into the squad for the Longford Town game.

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: David Keeler (Cork)
Assistant: Eoin Harte
Assistant: Ricky Crean
Fourth Official: Jason Mannix

GALWAY UNITED GOALSCORERS
Eoin McCormack – 12
Conor Barry – 11
Danny Furlong – 7
Alan Murphy – 2
Marc Ludden – 2
Ronan Manning – 2
Carlton Ubaezuonu – 2
Stephen Kenny – 1
Ryan Connolly – 1
Robbie Williams – 1
Stephen Walsh – 1

FORM GUIDE

GALWAY UNITED
Cobh Ramblers 1-2 Galway United
UCD 2-0 Galway United
Galway United 3-2 Cabinteely
Drogheda United 2-2 Galway United
North End United 0-4 Galway United

LONGFORD TOWN
Finn Harps 3-0 Longford Town
Longford Town 3-0 Wexford FC
Shelbourne 6-1 Longford Town
Longford Town 3-0 Athlone Town
Sligo Rovers 0-1 Longford Town

LAST MEETING
June 1st, 2018 | Longford Town 3-2 Galway United

Longford Town goalscorers: Aodh Dervin, Sam Verdon and Karl Chambers

Galway United goalscorers: Conor Barry and Stephen Walsh