Kuduzovic hat-trick sees Utd slip deeper into relegation play-offs

Date Published: {J}

Dundalk 3

Galway United 0

Galway United were nudged closer to a dreaded relegation play-off at the weekend after suffering their second 3-0 defeat in a week on a night when close rivals UCD pulled off a stunning win over champions elect Shamrock Rovers.

Fahrudin Kuduzovic grabbed a hat-trick for the home side in Oriel Park on Friday night to take all three points, with results on the night meaning United’s destiny is now out of their own hands as they are now four points adrift of UCD with just four games remaining.

They host the Students in Terryland Park this Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm), and anything other than a win will in all likelihood consign United to a play-off with a Bray Wanderers side that has suddenly found a bit of form in the past couple of months and would go into the game as favourites.

The bottom team in the division is automatically relegated, with the winners of the First Division taking their place. The teams in eighth and ninth in the Premier Division meet in a one-off game, with the team finishing eighth having home advantage, and the winners of this game will secure their top-flight status.

The sides finishing second and third in the First Division also meet in a one-off game, with the team finishing second having home advantage. The winner of this First Division play-off will play the side that lost the Premier Division play-off over two legs, with the First Division side having home advantage in the first leg.

At the moment, Drogheda look likely to be automatically relegated, with United and Bray facing off in a play-off. The First Division title looks to be between Derry City and Monaghan United, with Shelbourne and Waterford United looking like the sides battling it out for a play-off with the Ulster club that doesn’t take the title.

United travelled to Oriel Park on Friday night more in hope than expectation, the loss of Seamus Conneely and Jamie McKenzie to suspension, as well as the absence of Barry Ryan – whose wife is expecting their first child – forcing Sean Connor to shuffle his dwindling deck of cards once again.

It was a new-look back four, with Stephen Walsh playing at right back and Tom King on the left as Rhys Meynell moved inside to partner Paul Sinnott at centre-back. Jonathan Keane came in on the right wing for a rare appearance in a United shirt this season, while up front Jason Molloy partnered Karl Sheppard.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.