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Galway United return to action this Friday night, when they face Sligo Rovers in the first Connacht Derby of the season at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Sligo Rovers come into this Connacht Derby following a 0-0 draw, against Waterford FC at the RSC last Friday. John Russell’s charges began their campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat against Derry City; that narrow defeat was followed by a 4-0 loss against Bohemian FC.
The Bit O’Red finished the 2025 season in good form, which saw them maintain their Premier Division status for 2026.
Russell made a number of signings ahead of the 2026 season, with former United defender Jeannot Esua making the move to Sligo. In recent days, James McManus has also re-joined the club on loan from Bohs, and he is an eye-catching addition ahead of the derby.
One of Sligo’s star players from last season, Owen Elding, has left the club to join Hibernian in Scotland, however Jad Hakiki is still with the North-West club. Hakiki was in outstanding form throughout last season, and the Tribesmen will have to be at their best to keep him quiet on Friday night.
Sligo Rovers squad: Liam Hughes, Sam Sargeant, Sean Stewart, Shane Blaney, Ollie Denham, Jeannot Esua, David Jonathan, Conor Reynolds, Gaerth McElroy, Seb Quirk, Ciaron Harkin, Jad Hakiki, Carl McHugh, Alex Nolan, Kyle McDonagh, Daire Patton, Guilherme Rego Priosti, Will Fitzgerald, Archie Meekison, Cian Kavanagh, Mai Traore, Ryan O’Kane.
United come into Friday’s derby following a 1-1 draw against Shelbourne at Tolka Park, last Friday.
United took the lead midway through the half, thanks to a Kris Twardek goal, before Harry Wood levelled matters from the penalty spot.
The Tribesmen began their campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Drogheda United.
Galway’s performances have been impressive so far this season, and they will look to continue that performance standard this Friday, alongside a positive result.
John Caulfield has made a number of new signings for 2026, with Wasiri Williams, Kris Twardek, Lee Devitt, Matty Wolfe, Gianfranco Facchineri, Al-Amin Kazeem, Francely Lomboto, Arthur Parker, Hugo Pires Da Cunha, Nicholas Fleuriau Chateau and Connor Barratt all joining.
Parker was a standout performer for the Westerners last time out, as he kept Shelbourne key man, Will Jarvis, relatively quiet during the contest.
Galway United squad: Evan Watts, Hugo Pires Da Cunha, Killian Brouder, Junior Thiam, Axel Pieshold, David Hurley, Aaron Bolger, Jimmy Keohane, Conor McCormack, Ed McCarthy, Dara McGuinness, Stephen Walsh, Cillian Tollett, James Morahan, Wasiri Williams, Kris Twardek, Lee Devitt, Matty Wolfe, Gianfranco Facchineri, Al-Amin Kazeem, Francely Lomboto, Arthur Parker, Hugo Pires Da Cunha, Nicholas Fleuriau Chateau.
Speaking ahead of the game against Sligo Rovers, Caulfield said he was looking forward to the contest and hopes there will be a large home support at Eamonn Deacy Park.
“We know what Sligo are like, we know how good they can play. They have done us a few times in our place; games have always been tight. We have a big week ahead of next week, to make sure we are ready. We need a big home support, hopefully a full house, but we need to be on it. We look forward to next Friday night.”
United’s goalscorer last Friday night, Twardek said he was also looking forward to the upcoming derby.
“It’s going to be a good battle, we just hope we are on the right side of it, hopefully there’s a full house there on Friday night.”
Tickets for the game can be purchased here - Tickets
The game will also be streamed on LOI TV, for those that can’t make it to Eamonn Deacy Park.
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