Match Preview v Longford Town

Galway United make the short trip to the City Calling Stadium for the club’s last league outing before the mid-season break.

United won and drew in their away meetings against De Town last season in the First Division and Tommy Dunne’s charges will be eager to pick up another positive result at the midlands venue.

Longford Town winger Don Cowan left United fans sickened when he scored a 93rd minute winner at Eamonn Deacy Park when the sides met in March, sealing a 2-1 win for Tony Cousin’s side.

DUNNE: “WE NEED TO GET BACK ON TRACK”
Galway United boss Tommy Dunne is adamant his players must get back on track and avoid a third consecutive league defeat when his side faces Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium on Friday night.

The Dubliner said: “We’re going to a ground where we had reasonable results last season, but we know it’s a different game on Friday night and that Longford will be looking to continue their own push up the table also.

“If we win, we’re within a point of Longford and that’s something to aim for as we approach the mid-season break.

“We’re coming off the back of two league losses so we know we’ve got to improve to stay in touch with the likes of Longford.

“Longford are a good side, they’ve come up and picked up some excellent results and Tony has them well organised and they’ve got threats that can do damage to teams in this league. We’ll need to be on our game to get the positive result we crave.”

TEAM NEWS
Galway United only have one injury concern heading into’s Friday’s game at the City Calling Stadium.

Andy O’Connell’s foot injury is worse than previously thought and after undergoing further tests, it is feared that O’Connell could be ruled out of action until September.

REFEREE
Sean Grant

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

FORM GUIDE
Longford Town – LWDD*W (* won on penalties against Finn Harps)
Galway United – WWLWL

LAST LEAGUE MEETING
27/3/15: Galway United 1-2 Longford Town

United goalscorer: Jake Keegan / Longford Town goalscorers: Gary Shaw, Don Cowan

LAST TEN LEAGUE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE SIDES
22/12/01: Longford Town 1-2 Galway United
22/3/02: Galway United 0-2 Longford Town
13/4/07: Galway United 1-1 Longford Town
29/5/07: Longford Town 0-3 Galway United
5/10/07: Galway United 2-0 Longford Town
7/3/14: Galway United 0-1 Longford Town
26/4/14: Longford Town 2-2 Galway United
27/6/14: Galway United 0-3 Longford Town
16/8/14: Longford Town 1-2 Galway United
27/3/15: Galway United 1-2 Galway United

OVERALL LEAGUE RECORD v LONGFORD TOWN
P29 W12 D9 L8 F37 A30

AWAY LEAGUE RECORD v LONGFORD TOWN
P15 W7 D4 L4 F26 A18

BIGGEST LEAGUE WIN v LONGFORD TOWN
29/5/07: Longford Town 0-3 Galway United

United goalscorers: Stephen O’Flynn, Derek Glynn (2)

BIGGEST LEAGUE DEFEAT v LONGFORD TOWN
27/6/14: Galway United 0-3 Longford Town

PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS
Ryan Connolly, Eric Lavine, Tom Silke

MATCH FACTS AND STATS v LONGFORD TOWN

• On their travels, Galway United have scored 15 more goals away from home against Longford Town. Home record – P14 W5 D5 L4 F11 A12. Away record – P15 W7 D4 L4 F26 A18.
• Galway United won their first four league outings against the Midlanders. The first meeting took place on 21/10/84.
• United have only lost two consecutive league games against Longford Town on one previous occasion.
• Bajan Eric Lavine, along with Bobby Ryan, helped Galway United to draw 2-2 against Longford Town at Flancare Park in 2000. The following season, Lavine signed for De Town.
• Billy Clery is United’s top-scorer against Longford Town, accounting for three strikes over a four year period.
• In Galway United’s last 5 league visits to the City Calling Stadium/Flancare Park, the clubs record stands at: P5 W3 D1 L1 F10 A6