Galway United return to league action against Derry

Galway United have to refocus on top flight survival when they host Derry City in Eamonn Deacy Park tonight (7.45pm).pm).

While there is understandable delight at the club having reached its first cup final in 18 years courtesy of Monday’s win, there is also a degree of concern at the toll both that game, and last Friday’s league encounter with St Patrick’s Athletic, will have taken on a squad delimitated by injury.

United had to play for more than a third of last Friday’s game after Conor Winn’s dismissal, and then saw two hours of action against the defending league champions on Monday night with a squad so reduced by injury, manager Tommy Dunne was only able to name four substitutes when seven are permitted.

There is no respite on the injury front, with Andy O’Connell (foot), Marc Ludden (ankle), Conor Barry (thigh) and Ryan Connolly (ankle) all ruled out of tonight’s game. In an even bigger blow, it has emerged that Padraic Cunningham will miss more than tonight’s game – he picked up a knee injury in training last weekend which requires surgery, and he is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

There is a chance that Enda Curran might make tonight’s game – he is due to undergo a late fitness test; but Winn is suspended after last Friday’s red card, though it would be difficult to see how he could dislodge Ger Hanley after his heroics on Monday night.

Meanwhile the Galway United U-19 side will play their Sligo Rovers counterparts in a friendly at Tuam Celtic’s ground at 12.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) as preparations continue for the side’s debut in the SSE Airtricity League.

Johnny Glynn’s side are in Section 2 of the league alongside Athlone Town, Longford Town, Bohemian FC, St Patrick’s Athletic, Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers, who they will open their campaign against on the weekend ending Sunday August 23.

The U-17 national league gets underway this weekend, with Mervue United hosting Shamrock Rovers in Fahy’s Field on Saturday (2pm). As both Salthill Devon and Longford Town are involved in this week’s Macro Cup, their game has been moved from this weekend to Wednesday next, August 12, with a 7.30pm kick-off in City Calling Stadium in Longford.