SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division:
Derry City v Galway Utd (Friday, 7.45pm)
DERRY CITY manager Kenny Shiels is keen to see his side record back-to-back league victories when they host Galway United on Friday at the Brandywell.
The Candystripes are unbeaten in their last seven league games after a crucial win over fellow Europa League hopefuls Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday: “Galway is a game we need to win to keep that momentum,” he insisted.
“We are going into the game looking to try and cement third place and it’s not going to be easy. We are expecting Shamrock Rovers to win every game they play. Shamrock Rovers are a good team, Sligo Rovers are a good team and those two are right on our heels, so we have to be on our toes all the time.
“We’ll be looking to play with an energy and passion that lends itself to decent performances. If the crowd can get behind us, it gives us that extra energy, like they did against Cork and like they did at home to Shamrock Rovers and the ones that went down to Tallaght on Tuesday night, they were fantastic. We just need them to keep believing in us and we can get our goal if we can.”
Galway visit the Brandywell after a slight dip in form as they have only managed to pick up four points from a possible 15, but Shiels is expecting a tough game: “It’s a bad time to meet Galway, they were very unfortunate at Sligo Rovers and I know how difficult that is at the Showgrounds. A few weeks ago they beat Dundalk and that was a fantastic performance,” he added.
Shiels, who confirmed that defender Aaron Barry looks set to miss the remainder of the season, will also be without Gareth McGlynn, Ryan McBride and Maximilian Karner for Friday evening’s game.
Leaders Dundalk, meanwhile, travel to Dalymount Park, as Stephen Kenny comes up against his old club Bohemians, while in front of the RTÉ cameras, Shamrock Rovers entertain St Patrick’s Athletic in a Dublin derby.
