Match Preview v Shamrock Rovers

Galway United make a welcome return to league action on Friday night after the mid-season break came to an end. The Tribesmen will play host to third in the table Shamrock Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park. Kick-off: 7.45pm.

United recorded a morale-boosting win at the City Calling Stadium before the mid-season break, with American striker Jake Keegan again finding the back of the net, with a precise header in the second half.

When the sides met in April at Tallaght Stadium, it was the Hoops who came out on top, winning 3-0, and United boss Tommy Dunne is adamant that his side are starting to acclimatise to the rigours of the Premier Division and he expects a tighter encounter at Eamonn Deacy Park.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than Shamrock Rovers coming to town”

“Rovers are one of the top clubs in the country,” Dunne admitted.

“It’s a game we’re all relishing. We understand that we’ll be up against it but we don’t have any fear coming into the game. We need to be disciplined in what we do and we must continue to work hard for each other.

“We’ve got things to build on, the result in Longford was very positive. We were probably looking for a better performance but the result was pleasing.

“We will have to go up a level against Shamrock Rovers to get a positive result, they’ll be hurting after losing to Bohemians. We’ve got to concentrate on ourselves and above all else, we need to put in a strong performance in front of our own supporters.”

TEAM NEWS
David O’Leary is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Andy O’Connell (foot) is Galway United’s only long-term injury victim.

There are doubts over Jason Molloy (back), Gary Shanahan (ankle) and Antaine O’Laoi (hamstring).

New signings Colm O’Donovan and Kevin Horgan have both been given clearance to play.

REFEREE
Neil Doyle (Dublin)

GALWAY UNITED LEAGUE GOALSCORERS
Enda Curran – 8
Jake Keegan – 4
Padraic Cunningham – 3
Ryan Connolly – 2
Jason Molloy – 1
Sam Oji – 1
David O’Leary – 1
Gary Shanahan – 1

FORM GUIDE
Galway United – WLWLW
Shamrock Rovers – DLWWL

LAST LEAGUE MEETING
3/4/15: Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Galway United

LAST TEN LEAGUE MEETINGS
30/10/09: Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Galway United
26/3/10: Galway United 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
7/5/10: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Galway United
18/7/10: Galway United 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
24/9/10: Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Galway United
29/4/11: Galway United 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
17/6/11: Shamrock Rovers 4-0 Galway United
21/8/11: Galway United 2-3 Shamrock Rovers
28/10/11: Shamrock Rovers 4-0 Galway United
3/4/15: Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Galway United

OVERALL LEAGUE RECORD v SHAMROCK ROVERS
P77 W11 D16 L50 F54 A140

OVERALL HOME RECORD v SHAMROCK ROVERS IN THE LEAGUE
P38 W6 D7 L25 F29 A66

BIGGEST LEAGUE WIN v SHAMROCK ROVERS
23/1/94: Shamrock Rovers 2-5 Galway United

United goalscorers: John Brennan, Noel Mernagh, Mark Herrick and Donnie Farragher (x2)

BIGGEST LEAGUE DEFEAT v SHAMROCK ROVERS
4/9/93: Galway United 0-5 Shamrock Rovers

PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS
Karl Sheppard, Aaron Greene, Stephen O’Donnell

MATCH FACTS AND STATS v SHAMROCK ROVERS

• The last time Galway United defeated Shamrock Rovers was 20 league games ago, in 2006, at Eamonn Deacy Park. Derek O’Brien struck for United in a 1-0 win in the First Division.
• In the same season (2006), United won their other home league game against the Hoops 1-0 also. Barry Moran was Galway United’s scorer on the night.
• Galway United have lost their last 9 league games in a row against Shamrock Rovers.
• The last time Galway United recorded a positive result against Shamrock Rovers was in 2009, when Aaron Greene dented the Hoops title chances with a second half goal at Tallaght Stadium.
• After 16 league games, Galway United are still the only side yet to draw a game.