Match Preview: Galway United v Dundalk FC

Dundalk hope to bounce back from the disappointment of last week’s defeat at Richmond Park in Friday night’s SSE Airtricity League match with Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park. (Kick-Off 7.45, Live on LOITV). Dundalk opened the season with three draws against Derry City, Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers, before last week’s defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic. Manager Ciaran Kilduff is hopeful that Dundalk will recover from that disappointment and produce a positive performance.

Ciaran Kilduff Comments

“We are hoping to react positively to a disappointing night last Friday in Inchicore. The lads are really hungry and have put in a good week of training. Everybody has reflected on that performance, but we have to remember that we have had a good start to the season with some excellent performances.

We travel to Galway United knowing that it is another serious test. Galway beat Sligo Rovers last Friday night and were unlucky not to get a result against St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday. We know that we are not going to get anything easy. However, while we respect all other teams that we face, we won’t be going to Galway with any fear. We are putting our best foot forward and are hopeful of a positive result. There is a lot of motivation within the squad to put things right after last week. Hopefully we can make a good account of ourselves and produce a good performance.”

Harry Groome Comments

Midfielder Harry Groome is also hopeful of a positive response: “After the game against Pats, it would have been easy for us to drop the heads. We were very frustrated during the week, but to be fair the lads have just got on with it. They’ve brushed it off, stayed focused, and we’re ready to go again this week. There’s a lot of experience in the group as well — between the lads, there are hundreds of games in the League of Ireland and abroad — and they’ve been through these moments before. It’s important that the less experienced lads understand that too: it’s one of those things, you take it on the chin, you learn from it, and you move on quickly. For me, I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and putting it right. We want to turn it around straight away.” Team News

• Vinnie Leonard has been ill this week and will be assessed closer to kick-off.

• Mayowa Animasahun faces another 1-2 weeks out due to the injury picked up in Derry.

• Everybody else is available.