Galway - Derry City
Ireland » Premier League » Tip: 1 (1X2) 2.40 HT : 1-0 FT : 1-2
Galway United is finally up in the highest division again. Galway football endured some difficult times over the last number of years. In fact Galway United has actually been reborn as GFC in 2013 has eventually merged to what is now with other Galway clubs Salthill and Mervue. Anyway, Galway has a football club in the top flight after a tough battle throughout last season, culminating in the promotional play-off against UCD. Back then they didn't look too far off Premier Division level. Whether United is good enough to sustain Premier Division status at the end of this season, though, remains to be seen. They have lost two of their key players in Paddy Barrett & Ryan Manning. Otherwise they have been able to keep the players they wanted, including striker Jake Keegan who scored 15 goals last year for them. They have been able to bring in experienced defender Sam Oji in, which clearly is the key signing for an otherwise rather young team. David O'Leary, who comes from Cork is quite experienced for his 22 years of age and should prove to be a signing that helps to bring the team up to top flight level. Derry City had a dismal 2014, apart of the only real glimmer of light, which was them making it into the FAI Final - which they lost in the end, however. They sacked their manager in the early parts of the season and things improved in fairness, but in the end not by too much. Trainer Peter Hutton now enjoyed the luxury of having a whole seasonal break+pre-season to assemble a squad. He tried to make something I feel and indeed he did sign proven striker Elding, albeit also known for being a trouble maker. If he can keep him happy, Elding could to a job for City. Seanan Clucas comes from Lingfield and rates a big talent, while Cillian Morrison is a decent young striker. On the other side the losses of Michael Duffy (to Celtic) and Rory Patterson due really hurt. They've been responsible for 50% of City's league goals, so clearly they are major losses and overall it is hard to see where the squad has improved from last- to this year. On balance, this is probably a very open game on any given night this season, but even more so on opening night, with Galway having home advantage. A big crowd can be expected and with the bit of momentum & euphoria on United's side they may be able to use this to their advantage.
