19.45 28 Aug 2015 -
Referee: Sean Grant
League Preview: Cork City -v- Galway United
- John O'Shea
- Thu, Aug 27 2015
CORK CITY
The cup success over St. Pat's last week has heightened the level of expectations among the Cork City fans, who can still dream about watching their side march on to cup glory in the Aviva Stadium in November.
The Leesiders have lost only two games at home all season long and only Dundalk have scored more goals in the Premier Division at home.
Speaking on this week’s Extratime.ie Sportscast, City’s goal keeper Mark McNulty is not giving up all hope of winning the league title just yet. However he also feels wins on Friday and Monday (home to St. Pat's) are essential if they are to keep their slim hopes alive (listen back here).
“If we’ve any chance of winning the league, we have to be hitting six points this weekend. We’re playing against two tough teams, even though we’re at home which is always a plus. Galway won’t be an easy game.
“We’ll have the Galway game first and if we can get the three points, then happy, we’ll move onto Pats. But our focus for now is on Galway on Friday”
City will again be without John Dunleavy and Gavan Holohan, while Danny Morrissey and John Kavanagh also miss out through injury. Darren Dennehy is a doubt for the game.
GALWAY UNITED
Galway have not won a game in the league for five matches and they are very close to the relegation places.
Last time out, Tommy Dunne’s side exited this year’s FAI Cup, with a 4-1 home defeat to Dundalk. The former Cork City manager, who guided the Leesiders to the First Division title in 2011, will be looking to the likes of Jake Keegan to help his side get a positive result against his former employers.
With their Connacht rivals Sligo Rovers now looking rejuvenated and showing a bit of fight under Mickey Adams, it looks like the battle to avoid the relegation will go right down to the wire.
Every point is going to be crucial between now and the end of the season and while it would not secure their safety, getting at least a point against Cork City would give them a massive boost of confidence.
United will need to find something to motivate their survival quest over the final weeks of the season. There are a few recent examples of sides, both at home and in foreign leagues, that have survived the drop against the odds and have gone on an excellent end of season run.
Galway are missing Ryan Connolly, Padraic Cunningham, Stephen Walsh and Marc Ludden through injury, while Enda Curran misses out through suspension.
Samuel Oji is a doubt for the game and is rated as 50/50 to play.
Referee: Sean Grant.
MATCH STATS
If Cork City were to lose on Friday night, it will be the first time since 2010 that they have lost three consecutive league games.
Cork City have won eight and drawn one of the last ten league meetings against Galway at Turner’s Cross.
City’s Karl Sheppard won the SWAI Player of the month award while playing for Galway United in April 2010. Sheppard signed a new contract till end of 2017 season with the Leesiders on Friday (see full story here).
BETTING
Cork City 1/4 ; Draw 9/2; Galway United 10/1.
PREDICTION
Cork City 2–0 Galway United
Cork City
Injured: John Dunleavy, Gavan Holohan, John Kavanagh ,Danny Morrissey.
Doubtful: Darren Dennehy.
Suspended: None.
Galway United
Injured: Ryan Connolly, Padraic Cunningham, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden
Doubtful: Samuel Oji.
Suspended: Enda Curran
About John O'Shea
John is a Cork based reporter, mainly covering Cork City and Cobh Ramblers. John also reports regularly on Munster Senior League and Cork Youths League football for the Evening Echo. John has also freelanced for …