General
- Thursday April 30th, 2015 @ 17:19
Team News: Galway United Vs St Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic travel west on Friday evening as Liam Buckley's side face Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Saints have a strong history in what has been the home of Galway United in previous years when the ground was known as Terryland Park, with former Republic of Ireland international Paul McGrath scoring his first ever league goal for the Saints in a 2-1 win in October 1981.
Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of Friday evening's game, Saints' manager Buckley outlined his happiness with his side's win against Sligo last week, but underlined the need for his side to repeat their performance this week.
"We'd a great win last week against Sligo in Richmond Park. I was happy with the result and performance, but we still have some things to improve on.
We need to now put together a consistent run of performances and hopefully we can do that in Galway. They're a good side though so it won't be easy. But we'll go there with the aim of performing well and getting the three points."
In team news, the Saints are without the services of Togo international Cyril Guedje who misses out with a calf strain, while last year's top-scorer Christy Fagan will face a late fitness on a knee injury.
Defender Ian Bermingham meanwhile is set for his 150th league game for the Saints should he make an appearance.
For Pat's goalkeeper Conor O'Malley, the game against Galway is one he is relishing with the Westport man having played with both Mervue United and Salthill Devon previously.
"Yeah Friday should be a good game against Galway. They play good, open football so we should see two teams go at each other and look to win the points.
It'll be good to play out there as I know a few of their players well like Ger Hanley who I'd have known from a few years ago so I'm looking forward to it," the 20 year old told stpatsfc.com.
Having joined the Saints from Shamrock Rovers in the close season, the Mayo man admitted that he has enjoyed his run in the team due to an injury to Brendan Clarke and was happy to have kept four clean sheets to date, the last one coming in the Saints' 3-0 win against Sligo Rovers last Friday.
"Yeah I've really enjoyed the last few weeks in the team. I was nervous in the first few games but I think I've got better in the last few games.
It's been good to keep a few clean sheets too as that is what is expected of a goalkeeper. We were all really happy with last week's win against Sligo, so hopefully we can keep another clean sheet on Friday and get another three points."
