Match Preview v Dundalk

Galway United welcome table-toppers Dundalk FC to Eamonn Deacy Park on Tuesday evening for a re-fixed league encounter.

United drew their first league game of the season at the Showgrounds on Saturday night when Ryan Connolly’s first half strike was cancelled out by Sligo striker Dinny Corcoran.

Tuesday’s clash against the Lilywhites kick-starts an important week for Tribesmen, who must also travel to the Markets Field on Saturday evening to face Limerick FC.

DUNNE TAKES POSITIVES FROM SPIRITED PERFORMANCE IN SLIGO
Galway United departed the Sligo Showgrounds with a well-deserved share of the spoils on Saturday night and also a prevailing feeling of what might have been. The Tribesmen drew their first league of the season at the 18th attempt and players and staff alike were disappointed that they didn’t grab a winner at the North-west venue.

“There were a lot of positive to take from the Sligo game,” Dunne told www.galwayunitedfc.ie.

“We played well on the evening, the only disappointing aspect is we could’ve grabbed a few more goals.

There were a lot of solid displays right through the team and we were a bit more dogged and aggressive in making sure we didn’t get turned over and we troubled Sligo at times.

“We had good spells of possession and chances, that was encouraging. But we didn’t get the three points I felt the players deserved on the night.

“It’s a short turnaround now with Dundalk coming to Eamonn Deacy Park on Tuesday night, the physical aspect will be difficult, it probably doesn’t suit us but that’s how the fixtures fell with Dundalk’s participation in Europe.

“They’re a top side, we know they’re very dangerous from set-plays as well as open play, we need to be solid against them, we don’t want to give away silly soft goals. We need to be disciplined and ruthless when chances present themselves.”

TEAM NEWS
Jason Molloy (back injury) returns for the visit of Dundalk.

Sam Oji (hamstring) is rated as extremely doubtful.

Andy O’Connell (foot) is still ruled out of action.

REFEREE
Padraigh Sutton (Clare)

GALWAY UNITED LEAGUE GOALSCORERS
Enda Curran – 9
Jake Keegan – 4
Padraic Cunningham – 3
Ryan Connolly – 3
Jason Molloy – 1
Sam Oji – 1
David O’Leary – 1
Gary Shanahan – 1

FORM GUIDE
Galway United – WLWLD
Dundalk – WLWWW

LAST LEAGUE MEETING
20/4/15: Dundalk 3-0 Galway United

LAST TEN LEAGUE MEETINGS
17/7/09: Galway United 0-3 Dundalk
25/9/09: Dundalk 3-0 Galway United
19/4/10: Galway United 0-1 Dundalk
14/5/10: Dundalk 0-0 Galway United
25/7/10: Galway United 1-1 Dundalk
11/3/11: Dundalk 3-2 Galway United
6/5/11: Galway United 0-3 Dundalk
24/6/11: Dundalk 6-1 Galway United
9/9/11: Galway United 2-2 Dundalk
20/4/15: Dundalk 3-0 Galway United

OVERALL LEAGUE RECORD v DUNDALK
P74 W12 D22 L40 F66 A133

HOME LEAGUE RECORD v DUNDALK
P37 W8 D14 L15 F34 A57

BIGGEST LEAGUE WIN v DUNDALK
2/1/03: Dundalk 0-4 Galway United

BIGGEST LEAGUE DEFEAT v DUNDALK
7/10/79: Dundalk 7-2 Galway United

PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS
Stephen O’Donnell, Ger Hanley, Gary Shanahan, Paddy Barrett

MATCH FACTS v DUNDALK

• Galway United’s last win against the Lilywhites was in 2009, when former Dundalk defender Garry Breen bundled Jay O’Shea’s free kick past Dundalk goalkeeper Chris Bennion from close range to seal a 1-0 win at Eamonn Deacy Park.
• Both clubs have exchanged players and managers in recent seasons; Sean Connor and Ian Foster managed and Eamonn Deacy Park and Oriel Park while Garry Breen, Vinny Faherty, Shane Guthrie, Gary Shanahan, Ger Hanley, Stephen O’Donnell, Shaun Kelly, Conor Winn and Thomas Heary spent time at both clubs in recent seasons.
• Only one current United player has registered a league strike for the club against Dundalk. In 2010, Stephen Walsh got on the scoresheet for the Tribesmen against Dundalk in a 1-1 draw at Eamonn Deacy Park.
• Galway United drew their first league game of the season on Saturday night away to Sligo Rovers 1-1; the last time United hosted Dundalk at Eamonn Deacy Park in league action, the sides drew 2-2. Korean winger Jin Gu Kim and United legend Alan Murphy got on the scoresheet for the home side.
• Galway United players Kevin and Colm Horgan could face their brother Daryl on Tuesday night at Eamonn Deacy Park.