Galway United and Dundalk will both be looking for victory on Friday night
as they look to climb away from the ‘best of the rest’ and into the
promotion places.
11 points behind third-placed Finn Harps, both managers concede that
catching the top three will be a tall order considering the consistency
that the top three have shown, but are not prepared to give up.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a must win game for us,” said Galway manager Tony
Mannion. “If we win this and lose the rest of the games, it hasn’t been
worth it. I think getting a consistent run is what is vital.
“We were doing well but lost to Harps last week which was disappointing
after we led for so long. We did very well but dropped deep in the last few
minutes and paid for it as they never gave up.”
With defender Conor Frawley suspended, Nigel Keady will return in central
defence having served a one-match ban though Mannion’s opposite number Jim
Gannon has more problems with striker Stephen Geoghegan (hamstring) and
Paul Marney (suspended) both out.
However, experienced defender Paul Curran returns to the squad though is
unlikely to be in the starting XI.
“The gap between ourselves, Galway and Kildare to the top three is very big
but the top three are all playing each other in the coming weeks and it’s a
chance of us to make up ground,” said Gannon.
“Draws aren’t good enough for either of us now so we’ll be both looking for
the win.”
