MATCH PREVIEW | St Patrick's Athletic

Galway United travel to Richmond Park on Friday night for a second round Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup tie against St Patrick’s Athletic. Kick-off: 7.45pm.

The Tribesmen are coming off a disappointing loss against Shamrock Rovers, who scored a last minute winner at Eamonn Deacy Park.

St Patrick’s Athletic meanwhile were convincing 4-0 winners at Richmond Park against Finn Harps.

When the sides have previously met this season, both fixtures ended in 1-1 draws.

SHANE KEEGAN EYES PROGRESSION AT RICHMOND PARK ON FRIDAY NIGHT
“It’s a nice distraction to have first and foremost,” Keegan explained.

“In terms of toughness of the draw, only away to Cork City or Dundalk could’ve been more difficult if you’re going on current form.

“Pats are one of the form teams in the country at the moment and we’re also in a good run of form ourselves.

“Liam has strengthened massively, when you look at them now, they’ve brought in a new centre half and an entirely new centre midfield pairing. They’ve spent a lot of money in the transfer window, so it’s no real surprise to see them digging themselves out of the hole they were in.

“I thought we were excellent against Shamrock Rovers last week and deserved more. It was a good opening 45 and a poor second half, but we possibly could have and should have been out of sight at half time against one of the top sides in the country, if the correct decisions were made.

“It will be a difficult task heading to Richmond Park without David Cawley and Marc Ludden, but I’m quite confident that we can go there and cause them problems.”

TEAM NEWS
David Cawley is suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards.

Marc Ludden (knee) misses out as a result of Gary Shaw pushing him into the perimeter wall at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
Assistant: Wayne McDonnell
Assistant: Darragh Keegan

GALWAY UNITED GOALSCORERS
Ronan Murray – 14
Gavan Holohan – 6
Vinny Faherty – 4
Padraic Cunningham – 3
Stephen Folan – 3
Kevin Devaney – 2
David Cawley – 2
Gary Shanahan – 2
Eoin McCormack – 1
Jesse Devers – 1
Lee Grace – 1

FORM GUIDE

St Patrick’s Athletic’s previous five games
St Patrick’s Athletic 4-0 Finn Harps
Portmarnock AFC 0-2 St Patrick’s Athletic
Sligo Rovers 1-1 St Patrick’s Athletic
Drogheda United 0-1 St Patrick’s Athletic
St Patrick’s Athletic 3-1 Bray Wanderers

Galway United’s previous five games
Cork City 2-1 Galway United
Finn Harps 1-3 Galway United
Galway United 0-3 Dundalk
Killester United 3-3 Galway United (Galway United won 7-6 on penalties)
Galway United 1-2 Shamrock Rovers

LAST MEETING
June 30, 2017 | St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Galway United

St Patrick’s Athletic goalscorer: Conan Byrne

Galway United goalscorer: Padraic Cunningham