The 101st Connacht derby takes centre stage this evening as Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior team host Galway United at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
Match Day Sponsor for this crucial Premier Division clash is Sligo Value Centre.
This will be the second game between the sides this season, with the Bit O’Red driven to make up for February’s defeat to the Tribesmen at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Rovers are certainly the form of the teams with two wins and two draws from our previous five, while Galway have failed to win any of their last five, but they have picked up three draws along the way.
This derby represents a huge opportunity for Rovers who would leap-frog Galway in the table and move closer to the top half with a win.
John Russell prepares for this game without a few long-term absentees, although he is hopeful Ryan O’Kane may make the match-day squad having missed the last nine outings with a broken arm.
Sean Stewart was subbed off in the second half against Shelbourne last Friday but should be fine to take part today.
Rovers have only suffered one defeat in the second round of fixtures to date, conceding just three goals in those seven. Russell is delighted with recent form and wants to maintain this run heading towards the mid-season break in three weeks.
“I can’t praise the players highly enough”, he says.
“But we have to demand it from them again and ask for even more on Saturday.
“We are second to none in terms of work-rate in this league, the players have been giving everything for us and they will need to show it again.
“Galway will come up here knowing how important this game is and we have to be ready to go toe-to-toe. Our lads know what it was like coming back from our last derby, on the bus and the feelings we had after it.
“They’re direct and physical and have an ability to harm you, particularly on set-plays. But they can also switch their style and have the players to bring from the bench to do this.
“But we’ve been creating chances in games and that’s the way we want to do it. We want to win games and play good football. That’s why we’re here.
Russell was disappointed with refereeing decisions last week against Shels, but takes positives from a well earned point at Tolka Park. He says it shows that Rovers can dig in and then harm the opposition when opportunity presents.
He’s also keen to see his team start on the front foot in what is set to be a huge game between two provincial rivals.
“We would have won the game in Dublin last week if we’d got the decision”, he states.
“It was frustrating, of course. But we see it as proof of our ability to defend when we have to and to hit teams when we have the chance. We’re developing our game all the time.
“But I think the Galway game will be different. The focus will be on us to attack. It’s a derby game and we’re the home team so we’ll be going for it.”
David Goulden