League Preview: Shamrock Rovers B -v- Galway FC

• Macdara Ferris
• Sat, Sep 06 2014




SHAMROCK ROVERS B

While many in Irish football will have Georgia on their mind the whole day through on Sunday, it is Galway FC that will be the focus early afternoon for the Shamrock Rovers First Division squad.

 

The Hoops B team will be hoping that with home advantage they can make it four wins in a row when Galway FC come calling to Tallaght Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).

 

Rovers followed up previous back-to-back wins against Waterford United and Cobh Ramblers, with an excellent victory away to Finn Harps last week. Chris Lyons’ first half penalty, his third spot kick of the campaign, inflicted only Harps’ second defeat in 16 games.

 

The win for the Hoops saw them jump into sixth place in the First Division table above Waterford United.

 

With just five games remaining, the young Hoops squad will be looking to give their manager Colin Hawkins another win as they have ambitions of beating Finn Harps for fifth place in the table. Harps lost to bottom side Cobh Ramblers 1-0 on Saturday evening. However it is likely that Rovers will need a win against Galway on Sunday if they are to get that fifth spot.

 

GALWAY FC
The Tribesmen travel to Tallaght seeking a win to at least cement their current spot in the promotion play-off positions in the First Division.

 

The gap to the teams above them Longford Town (10 points) and Shelbourne (9 points) may be difficult to overhaul. However they will be looking for a result against the Hoops’ B team to at least increase their two point lead over Wexford Youths following their 2-2 draw in Longford on Saturday night.

 

“It is important for us with Shels winning on Friday night that we maintain our own good run,” said Tommy Dunne speaking to galwayfc.ie ahead of the game in Dublin. His side have lost just once away from home in the league all season.

 

“I’ve no doubt it will be a very tough game because Rovers are in a great run of form, winning three matches in a row. For us, it is hugely important to get a win, that is what we will be trying to do as we want to stay a bit of a distance ahead of Wexford Youths in the table.”

 

Last week Galway put their previous defeat to Dundalk in the FAI Cup behind them by picking up all three points at home to Waterford United. Dunne, returning to manage against a club he played for over 100 times, has the option of bringing Martin Conneely back into defence as the player has overcome a troublesome achilles injury.

 

“Martin is available again following his injury and that is a boost for us,” said the Galway boss. Marc Ludden meanwhile may well miss out due to a dead leg and their are doubts over both Aaron McDonagh and Richard Fahy due to flu.

 

Referee: Simon Rogers.

 

MATCH STATS

The teams have played each other three times this season. In Eamon Deacy Park back in March, the sides played out a scoreless stalemate. It was a comprehensive victory for the Tribesmen at home in July with both Vinny Faherty and Jake Keegan scoring twice along with Enda Curran’s late goal. In the only encounter in Tallaght, the game was a 1-1 draw with Jake Keegan scoring for the vistors cancelling out Premier Division player Sean O’Connor’s first half-strike for the Hoops.

 

Chris Lyons has joined Daniel Purdy as Rovers top scorer with six goals from his 15 appearances. Last season he scored four times for Bohemians in the top division from 19 games.

 

Jake Keegan is the top marksman for Galway with eight goals from his 23 appearances, one strike ahead of Vinny Faherty.

 

BETTING
Shamrock Rovers B 5/1; Draw 11/4; Galway 1/2.

 

PREDICTION
1-1.

 

Shamrock Rovers B

Injured: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

 

Galway FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Richard Fahy, Aaron McDonagh, Marc Ludden.

Suspended: None.