Galway United v Cork City

AMAZINGLY this is Galway United's first home game in the eircom Premier Division since December 28 - and manager Tony Mannion wants to mark the occasion with a victory.

Nothing short of a win at Terryland Park tonight against Cork City (7.45) will suffice for a United side that is fast running out of time.

With Monaghan United already relegated, Galway are next to step up to the chopping block after a disappointing season. However Mannion says that there's still hope.

"This is the first time I will have my full-strength squad available, so we'll see what we can do," he said. "Time is getting short for us but there's still a chance for us to climb clear of trouble."

Colin Fortune and Mark Herrick, the former Cork midfielder, return from suspension for the westerners, who were beaten 3-0 by UCD last week.

Cork, meanwhile, need to get out of the slump they find themselves in. Once seen as real title contenders, the Leesiders have slipped away alarmingly over the last few weeks and that has led to discontent amongst the supporters.

"We will continue to foster the youth development policy we have put in place, that's the right way forward for the club," said manager Liam Murphy, who was defiant after last week's defeat to Shels, a defeat that led to calls for his resignation from some fans.

Murphy is without Stephen Napier, who suffered a broken toe last Sunday and is out for the rest of the season, but his is hopeful that Alan Carey and Damien O'Rourke can overcome ankle strains and will be available.

Here who were those midfielders City were intrested in getting off Galway?
Are theese guys still available?

Bobby Ryan went to Bohs, and Derek O'Brien doesn't get his game with Galway (I think).

eircom League Premier head-to-head preview
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Match: March 1, 2002

Galway Previous meetings Cork City

25-11-01
Cork 4-0 Galway
18-09-01
Galway 1-2 Cork
29-04-01
Cork 3-1 Galway

Galway Outlook
Colin Fortune and Mark Herrick are set to go straight back into action for Galway in the middle of the park after suspension for the Tribesmen's first home game since they lost against Shamrock Rovers at Terryland Park on Friday, December 28, exactly nine weeks ago. Galway's last four games have all been on their travels, and how they have suffered away from their own patch with just one win to their name over the last two months. Tony Mannion's men are down in all but name at this stage, although five of their last seven games are in their own backyard. Fran Carter and Darragh Sheridan are expected to make way for Fortune and Herrick.

Cork City Outlook
Cork defender Stephen Napier could be out for the rest of the season after dislocating a finger and breaking a toe in the defeat against Shelbourne at Turner's Cross last Sunday. Boss Liam Murphy is glad to be on the road again after taking a lot of stick form disgruntled Leeside fans recently. His players have also been the target for a lot of abuse, but hardly surprising, is it, after a depressing run of just two wins in eight league games. Alan Bennett is likely to resume at right-back in place of Napier with Anthony Buckley continuing in the middle of the park. Centre-back Damien O' Rourke is expected to be added to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury, but defender Alan Carey is still crocked. Colin Patrick O' Brien's place in attack is at risk with James Mulligan set to partner veteran frontman Pat Morley.

I'm sure players & management be happy to be on the road as seem to play their best football away from the cross.

I'll be missing my first away league game of the season so maybe city will get beaten :(

On a cold night, the football in the first half did little to warm the sparse crowd but the first goal was a gem. Cork's Conor O'Grady broke following a Galway corner before he found Colin O'Brien, who expertly volleyed the ball home.

In the second half, Galway midfielders Derek O'Brien and Fran Carter wasted excellent goalscoring opportunities before - typically - Cork made it 2-0 on 72 minutes.

Billy Clery hacked down Ollie Cahill as the Corkman turned to line up a shot and veteran striker Pat Morley made no mistake from the spot. He sent Robert Forde the wrong way.

An element of farce prevailed with three minutes left when Cork scored their third. O'Brien crossed the ball in from the right and Forde seemed to lose the run of himself as he let the ball float behind him into an empty net. The home supporters, unsurprisngly, almost all left at that point.