Crucial week for United with trip to Harps and League semi-final against Derry City

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Written by Declan Rooney

Wednesday, 30 July 2008

Galway United face one of their most crucial weeks of the season this week as they travel to relegation rivals Finn Harps on Friday night, and host Derry City on Monday in the League Cup semi-final.

Marc McCulloch.

First up is the trip to Ballybofey to face a Finn Harps side who, like United, have struggled for long periods of the season. Harps are coming into this game on the back of three successive league defeats, and United will be anxious to secure maximum points this time out after the 2-2 draw in Terryland already this year.

United will have to plan without captain John Fitzgerald for Friday evening's game as he is due to sit out the game because of suspension, and probably would have missed the game due to the ankle injury he picked up against Derry.

Alan Keane is due to make his return to the team after his mid-season injury and suspension break. He may well be tried out at centre-back in place of his skipper, or might replace player-manager Jeff Kenna at full-back.

Doubts remain about the availability of John Russell, who has sat out the last two matches with an ankle injury.

After the capitulation at the hands of Derry in the league, United get an immediate chance of retribution when the Candystripes arrive in town for the League Cup semi-final on Monday evening.

Derry seem to possess the know-how in this competition, as they have won the trophy in each of the last three years and they will no doubt be eager to make it four. They qualified for the last four with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Bohemians in The Brandywell, but United were equally impressive with a three goal home victory over Bray Wanderers.

Victory on Monday will ensure a place in the final against either Cork City or Wexford Youths, with the venue of the final to be decided by the toss of a coin.

A big crowd is expected in Terryland Park for this, the most important game of the season so far and tickets are available from usual outlets.

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