Statistics offer Utd hope against Bohs but not side's form

Keith Kelly

WHEN you find yourself in a dark place, with hope nothing more than a dot on the horizon, it is said that turning your mind to a place that evokes happy memories can do the soul some good, and that is the scenario Galway United find themselves in tonight when they travel to Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians (kick-off 7.45pm).

United’s sole victory in the league this season came at the Phibsboro venue way back in March, and Sean Connor will hope his side can continue their excellent recent form both at the ground and against the Gypsies – United have won on each of their last three visits to northside venue, and have been beaten just once in six meetings against Pat Fenlon’s side.

The Tribesmen could certainly do with replicating that recent form tonight, as they go into the game on the back of a shocking 15-game losing run, a new club record and just three defeats shy of Kilkenny City’s 18-game losing run from the 1990s, which is a league record.

To say these are turbulent times at United is akin to suggesting the west of Ireland is prone to the odd spot of rain, and the fan-led management committee, which has taken over the day-to-day running of the club this season, has called an emergency meeting of fans for Terryland Park next Wednesday (7.30pm).

The meeting is being held to inform all supporters of the up-to-date situation at the club and to outline plans to ensure it can compete in the Airtricity League for the remainder of the season. Everyone interested in the survival of the club is asked to attend.

As for matters on the pitch, United continue to be without long-term injury absentees Sean Kelly (knee) and Jonathan Keane (knee), while Enda Curran is also out with ligament damage. While a number of players were expected to leave the club this week – manager Sean Connor announced last weekend that Greg Fleming, Karl Moore, Steve Feeney, Joe Yoffe and Brian Cash had left – as of now, the only player to complete the necessary paperwork and officially depart the club is defender Shaun Kelly.

One Galway-born player on the move this week is Daryl Horgan, who has joined Cork City on loan for the remainder of the season from Sligo Rovers, and will go straight into the City squad for this weekend’s game against Salthill Devon, the side he left to join Sligo at the start of the season.

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