Dundalk v Galway United

United travel to Oriel Park and will play on their new artificial surface for the first time. Ronan Frawley is out with an ankle injury picked up last weekend but Nigel Keady is available after suspension and is expected to replace him at right back. Juan Rojas is still out with an ankle injury. John Russell and Nicky Curran are both suspended. U21 centre back Liam McKenna is included in the squad.

ko:: 7.45pm, Oct 27th, Oriel Park
Previous meetings this season
>> League:: won 1-0 (home) April 15th
>> League:: won 3-0 (away) June 23rd
>> League:: lost 0-3 (home) Aug 18th


www.galwayunitedfc.ie

Galway United make the arduous trek to Oriel Park this evening for a First Division joust with Dundalk.

Stephen Lally's evolving United side registered another impressive victory over Dublin City last Friday and they will travel to County Louth injected with confidence.

Dundalk, who play on an artificial surface, have not enjoyed much success this season, but their mix of youth and experienced footballers will provide the Tribesmen with a stern examination.

United passed the Dublin City test after encountering some problems midway through the game. Yet the manner in which United began and finished the game will have filled Lally with encouragement.

A high energy start was following by a lacklustre spell either side of the break, but United responded with a highly effective finale. Two late goals from the dynamic Derek O'Brien and Eric Lavine ensured Dublin City made the homeward journey reflecting on what might have been.

Alan Gough continues to provide a reassuring presence in goal behind a defence that has been marshalled superbly by Alan Keane and Billy Clery in recent weeks. Skipper Nigel Keady should also return to action this evening, adding another formidable stopper to the unit. Ryan Casey adds a dash of class at left full and his ingenuity will be required on a testing surface this evening.

John Russell was expected to be included tonight, but a red card picked up in last Saturday's u-21 clash with Monaghan United rules the Moycullen lad out of contention. Mixie Harty is likely to continue his effective partnership with Colin Fortune, who will need to be assertive against the Lilywhites.

Fortune's consistency has been a salient feature in United's season, while the emergence of Harty as a quality midfield performer is particularly pleasing. Prior to this season Harty's versatility had seen him operate at right full, right midfield, and in the centre of the park, but Lally has repeatedly used the former Hibernians in his favoured role. Harty has accepted the responsibility and is the lead candidate to be awarded United's player of the season.

Eric Lavine is still capable of providing moments of inspiration, while Davie O'Dowd's honourable efforts have not gone unnoticed by Terryland Park regulars. The front pair will need to be clinical in Oriel Park this evening if United are to make the long trip home armed with three more valuable points.

Updates should be here throughout the game.

0-0.
Not a bad result...tough place to go but the draw all but ends are slim hopes of catching a playoff place IMO.

8 draws in a row for Dundalk!!

taken from: http://www.eleven-a-side.com/first/i...p?newsid=19729

Dundalk made it a record eight draws on the trot after a dull encounter at Oriel Park on Thursday night, making the Lilywhites’ nine-match unbeaten run arguably the most unfruitful in the history of Irish football.

Dundalk have not lost a game since the FAI Carlsberg Cup clash against local rivals Drogheda United in August – but their most recent win was against Limerick FC in their first league match on the new Oriel Park surface on September 1st.

Top scorer Ger McCarthy gave home manager Jim Gannon a boost by proving his fitness prior to the game, but the former Shelbourne and St Patrick’s Athletic man was unable to add to his 12-goal tally this season – and was shown a straight red card in the final minute after clashing with Galway’s Alan Keane.

David Hoey had the best chances for Dundalk, but twice Alan Gough was equal to the task.

Dundalk: Shanahan, Flanagan, McGuinness, Marney, McCrystal, Kelly (Murphy, 35), Deans (Morgan, 72), Hoey, Grimes, Hynes, McCarthy.

Galway United: Gough, Clery, Keane, Casey, Keady, Reilly, Fortune, Harty, O’Brien (Cooke, 80), Lavine, O’Dowd (Goldbey, 86).

another one for the future excellent Centre Half.This season has seen a number of young local players break into the team and its a great credit to Johm Clarke & Stephen for giving these lads a chance. Hopefully we will fill a big bus to Kildare and keep this run going to the end of the season.