Struggling United face a tough task against Dubliners

Keith Kelly

FORMER Salthill Devon player Mikey Gilmore is expected to go straight into the Galway United squad for tonight’s game with table-toppers and defending league champions Shamrock Rovers in Terryland Park if his registration comes through form the FAI on time. 

United had agreed terms with the youngster last week, but didn’t want to official announce the signing until the paperwork was completed, but if clearance comes from Abbotstown in time, he is likely to be named on the bench for tonight’s game, which has the earlier kick-off time of 7.35pm due to the fact the game is being televised on RTE2. 

The addition of the striker to the squad is timely for United given the lack of options up front at Sean Connor’s disposal, with Joseph Yoffe out injured, Alan Murphy troubled by a groin strain, and Enda Curran apparently not convincing the manager of his abilities, having been hauled off before the hour mark against Bray last Friday in what was his first competitive start for the club.

Given the fact Gilmore struggled with injury last season, and is therefore short of match practice, he is likely to start on the bench. Connor has hinted after the last three matches that he would make changes to his under-performing side, but any that have been made have been as a result of injury or suspension, so Gilmore is likely to have to wait to make his competitive start.

Shaun Maher returns to tonight’s side, having missed the draw with Bray through suspension, and his return is timely for a defence that is facing the league’s top scorers tonight.

Shamrock Rovers come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over UCD in the league last Friday – they did lose to St Patrick’s Athletic on penalties in the EA Sports Cup on Monday night with a much changed side from the UCD game – and have scored 14 goals in their eight games so far, as compared to five goals in the same number of matches for United.

The league’s joint-top scorer Gary Twigg is out injured, but Rovers still have plenty of menace up front with the likes of Ciaran Kilduff, Gary O’Neill and Karl Sheppard, who joined the Hoops from United in the close season.

United are on a miserable run of home form this season, having taken just one point from their four games in Terryland to-date, while they were also dumped out of the EA Sports Cup by non-league side Cockhill Celtic in front of their own fans, so will go into the game more in hope than expectation.

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