Knocks aplenty as United bid to get back on winning track against Bohs

GALWAY United will look to get back to winning ways when they host Bohemians in the Premier League at Eamon Deacy Park tomorrow, Saturday (2pm).

Despite this being only United’s fifth League fixture of their current campaign, the injuries are already beginning to pile up for Tommy Dunne’s side and, indeed, he confessed there was consternation over the fitness of a number of players this week.

Striker Enda Curran is on the treatment table with an ankle injury while defenders Stephen Folan and Colm Horgan, midfielder Kevin Devaney and forward Vinny Faherty are all carrying knocks.

According to boss Dunne, who continues to be without defender Armin Aganovic and midfielder Alex Byrne, Folan and Devaney have been classed as “50/50” for tomorrow’s game but Horgan and Faherty are expected to be passed fit.

“To be honest, it is a case of if they are fit for selection we look at them but we just have to sit down and go through it. The four games in 14 days didn’t really help us so from that aspect you are bound to pick up a few knocks.

“We have plenty of guys who are there or thereabouts in terms of getting into the team so there is plenty of competition. So, that is good,” said Dunne, who hinted some of these may see action on Saturday afternoon.

Indeed, the United manager was the first to acknowledge the importance of having a strong squad. Last season, despite a good run, the Westerners came somewhat unstuck when the fixtures came hot and heavy and the injuries began to mount. He believed the club had taken this lesson on board.

“Last year, with the group that we had, we found it difficult – not so much in terms of the quality of the group but in the amount of players and the size of the group. This year we have a bit more bodies involved so we are hoping we can cope a little bit better.

“Even the other night against the Mayo League (EA Sports Cup), there were a lot of changes but we still looked reasonably competitive which was good. It is early days yet.”

Galway United won that first round fixture against the Mayo League 3-1 at Eamon Deacy Park, with Padraic Cunningham marking his return from a long term injury with a 13-minute hat-trick in the first half. No doubt, he will be in the manager’s thoughts ahead of the visit of Bohs this weekend.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.