Match Preview v Sligo Rovers

Galway United make the short trip North to face Connacht neighbours Sligo Rovers on Saturday evening at the Showgrounds.

The Tribesmen suffered a frustrating loss at the hands of Shamrock Rovers after the mid-season break, losing 2-1 at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Tommy Dunne’s side will be anxious to make amends when they travel to the North-West on Saturday night.

TOMMY DUNNE: “We have to concentrate on ourselves.”
“We had a disappointing result against Shamrock Rovers last week but we’ve dusted ourselves down and we’re moving on quickly to Sligo Rovers now,” Dunne admitted.

“We’re heading up to Sligo and we know how much they’ll be looking to get a result against us, they’ve got a strong squad of players so we’re under no illusions, it will be a battle, but we’re looking forward to going to Sligo, we’re hungry to do well and it’s a great place to play.”

United have found it difficult at the Showgrounds over the years and Dunne has urged his players to forget about past clashes against the Bit O Red.

“You have to forget about the previous 34 visits, there’s no point dwelling on the past, that’s history. We’ve got to look forward now, this is a new group of players and we believe if we can play to our potential, we’ve got a chance of winning in Sligo.

“We’re not too worried about what’s going on in Sligo or what Sligo are doing, all we’re interested in is getting ourselves right to play against them, it’s simple and straight forward. We’re looking forward to the match and we’re ready to play.

“Overall, we’re just concentrating on what we can do between now and the end of the season and we’re not overly concerned about what the opposition are doing.

“We’ve got to look after ourselves first and foremost,” Dunne concluded.

TEAM NEWS
Jason Molloy (back) is ruled out of Saturday’s trip to the Showgrounds.

Sam Oji (hamstring) has been struggling since the Shamrock Rovers game and he’s considered very doubtful.

Andy O’Connell’s recovery from a foot injury is on-going and he continued to be unavailable.

Antaine O’Laoi (hamstring) and David O’Leary (suspension) are both fit and back in contention.

REFEREE
Anthony Buttimer (Cork)

GALWAY UNITED LEAGUE GOALSCORERS
Enda Curran – 9
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 – LWLWL
Sligo Rovers – DWLLL

LAST LEAGUE MEETING
10/4/15: Galway United 0-1 Sligo Rovers

LAST TEN LEAGUE MEETINGS
9/10/09: Sligo Rovers 2-0 Galway United
20/3/10: Sligo Rovers 1-0 Galway United
4/5/10: Galway United 0-0 Sligo Rovers
11/7/10: Sligo Rovers 3-0 Galway United
13/9/10: Galway United 2-2 Sligo Rovers
1/4/11: Galway United 0-1 Sligo Rovers
21/5/11: Sligo Rovers 3-0 Galway United
15/7/11: Galway United 0-8 Sligo Rovers
1/10/11: Sligo Rovers 7-1 Galway United
10/4/15: Galway United 0-1 Sligo Rovers

OVERALL LEAGUE RECORD v SLIGO ROVERS
P67 W16 D19 L32 F82 A113

OVERALL AWAY RECORD v SLIGO ROVERS
P34 W3 D9 L22 F30 A73

BIGGEST LEAGUE WIN v SLIGO ROVERS
25/11/84: Galway United 5-0 Sligo Rovers
14/1/00: Galway United 5-0 Sligo Rovers

BIGGEST LEAGUE DEFEAT v SLIGO ROVERS
15/7/11: Galway United 0-8 Sligo Rovers

PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS
Alan Keane, Ryan Connolly, John Russell

MATCH FACTS AND STATS v SLIGO ROVERS

• It’s almost been 20 years since Galway United recorded a league win at the Showgrounds (16/3/1996). Galway United’s goalscorers in a 2-0 win were Mark Herrick and John “Jumbo”Brennan.
• The last time United overcame the Bit O Red in league action was 2009, when current Sligo Rovers player John Russell scored in 1-0 win at Eamonn Deacy Park.
• Three Galway United players have scored hat-tricks against Sligo Rovers: Kevin Cassidy, Mickey McLaughlin and Ricky O’Flaherty.
• If United should win at Showgrounds on Saturday night, it will be the clubs first win at the venue in 18 league visits.
• In United’s last three wins against Sligo Rovers, former Sligo players were on the scoresheet in each game for the Tribesmen (John Russell, Wesley Charles, Barry Moran).