League Of Ireland, Premier Division Previews

HAVING DEFERRED a college education in order to start his career with Galway United, Vinny Faherty is hoping to continue his rather impressive League of Ireland apprenticeship with a fourth straight St Patrick’s Athletic win this evening at Dundalk.

Tough times in Galway and with the league having generally left him wondering whether he might have made a rather poor career choice. However, a short break away from the game, in Thailand, followed by the good start to the new campaign by the Richmond Park outfit has the 22-year-old striker feeling fairly contented with his lot just now.

“I remember myself and (former team-mate) John Russell used to have lengthy discussions about it, wondering what we were going to do but that was kind of what Thailand was about,” he says. “The CAO was in February and I thought I’d just go there and get my head sorted and make a decision. But I kind of knew when I was over there that I missed the football straight away. It was nice to get a break for a week or two but then you want to get kicking around again. Me and Iarfhlaith (Davoren) would be on the beach and constantly with a football. When Pat’s came calling, I knew this was the place I wanted to come.”

In fact, there were a couple of trials in England before he signed on the dotted line for Pete Mahon but neither Crystal Palace nor Leyton Orient were in a great position to follow through on their interest and so the youngster finds himself spearheading the St Patrick’s attack as one half of a still-developing partnership with Alex Williams.

Tonight, Williams will be heading back to Oriel Park, the ground where he made quite an impact and Faherty will be renewing acquaintances with former manager Ian Foster. “Working with him was a pleasure,” he recalls. “I think he had a lot of trust in his players down in Galway. He let us go out and play. I think he’s a good man manager. I’ve a lot of respect for him, we’ve a good relationship but I’m here now and doing my best for St Pat’s and hopefully put one over him.”

Mahon, whose side will be travelling in the hope of maintaining their perfect start to the new campaign, has a full squad to choose from for the game while Dundalk, fresh from their win at Tallaght last week, will again be without Tiarnan Mulvenna (knee) and Alan Cawley (cheekbone).

Also on full points, Bohemians host Sligo Rovers, who may well include former Cameroon international Joseph Ndo in the starting line-up against his old club. The Dubliners will be without Stephen Gray (ankle) while Killian Brennan (ankle), Anto Murphy (shoulder) and Raffaele Cretaro (calf) all face late tests.

Paul Whelan is the only absentee for the visitors. Elsewhere, Galway are at full strength for the visit of a Shamrock Rovers side that could do with securing its first win of the campaign. James Chambers and Danny Murphy are again suspended while Gary Twigg (calf) and Dessie Baker (arm) are still laid up.

Sporting Fingal will be without Lorcan Fitzgerald again for their game against Drogheda United while Alan Kirby is a doubt with a back strain but Alan Mathews has slightly more to contend with. Joe Kendrick and John Flood are suspended while Corie Treacy. Mick Daly, Jamie Duffy and Jamie Harris are all considered doubtful.

And in the night’s other Premier Division game, Dane Massey returns for Bray as they go in search of a rare win at Belfield. Stephen Roche misses out for the hosts through illness but Robbie Creevy has recovered from a dead leg and Greg Bolger returns from suspension.

FIXTURES: Tonight: National League, Premier Division:

Galway United v Shamrock Rovers, Terryland Park, 7.35; Bohemians v Sligo Rovers, Dalymount Park, 7.45; Dundalk v St Patricks Athletic, Oriel Park, 7.45; Sporting Fingal v Drogheda United, Morton Stadium, 7.45; UCD v Bray Wanderers, UCD, 7.45.

First Division:

Cork City v Mervue United, Turners Cross, 7.45; Derry City v Athlone Town, Brandywell Stadium, 7.45; Finn harps v Limerick, Finn Park, 8.0.