United’s chance to keep great run going against Longford

GALWAY United manager Tommy Dunne argues that the visit of basement club Longford Town for their Premier Division tie at Eamon Deacy Park this evening (7:45pm) could, potentially, be their most difficult assignment of the season to date.

With Longford Town hugging the bottom of the table, Tony Cousins’ side are desperately in need of points if they are to stave off relegation come the end of the season. Consequently, Dunne believes there will be more urgency to Longford’s play this evening.

“Since the start of the season, they have struggled with injuries; anything up to seven injuries on any given week,” outlines Dunne. “With those players to come back, on any given week Longford can be a very dangerous team that will cause problems for anybody. I do think that when they do get everybody fit and healthy that they will move up the table fairly rapidly.”

In contrast to Galway United, who lie fourth in the Premier Division table after securing five wins and two draws from their opening nine games, Longford Town’s only victory came on the opening day of the season away to Wexford Youths. In all, they have scored just four league goals, conceded 19 and have yet to keep a clean sheet.

Given Longford’s form, this has to be a fixture United must come away from with maximum points. “Well, we are at home, and we target every game at home,” states Dunne. “That said, I know Longford are at the bottom of the table at the moment but any team in this division can win on any given day.

“You saw Bray, who are down near the bottom, beating St. Pat’s last week. So, from our side of things, we have got to concentrate on us performing to our potential and that will then, in turn, create the possibility of winning the match.”

United will be without Stephen Folan for this one after he was forced off with a back injury in last weekend’s 2-0 victory away to Wexford Youths. Dunne confirms he will be out for a couple of weeks at least.

On the plus side, Armin Aganovic and Kevin Devaney are back in training after recovering from their respective ailments although this game may have come a week too early for both players. Ryan Connolly, though, should be fit to play despite nursing a calf injury.

At any rate, Galway United should have enough to maintain their unbeaten home record this season. Again, Dunne advices caution. “We do want to go unbeaten at home in the season for as long as we can but I also know, at some stage, that might come to an end. So, every week all you can do is try to make sure we are there or thereabouts in all the games, whether it is home or away.

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