LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION:HURT BY pre-season punditry predicting they were relegation fodder, Galway United have used that motivational tool well. But even they're beginning to admit to pinching themselves a little at their surprisingly strong start to the season. Ian Foster's side sit third in the table having won three and drawn three of their seven games. Only champions Bohemians have beaten them so far.
"I'm not going to exaggerate, it's a better start than I'd have hoped for, but I wasn't expecting us to struggle like people were saying," said left winger Derek O'Brien, named yesterday as the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Player of the Month for March.
"We were practically told we were relegated before the start," added the 29-year-old Kerryman. "But we're up with the likes of Bohemians and Derry, so we must be doing something right. But I'd prefer to be there towards the end of the season."
As his award would suggest, O'Brien is back to his best form, abilities he scarcely brought to his frustrating spell at St Patrick's Athletic in the second half of last year.
Disappointed not to have got a call from new St Patrick's manager Jeff Kenna - his former boss at Galway - prior to his return west in the close season, O'Brien has been quick to praise Foster, the former Republic of Ireland international's assistant at Terryland Park last year.
"Ian was an integral part of what we did last season," stressed O'Brien. "Maybe he didn't get the press because that was all about Jeff, an ex-Ireland international and a Premiership winner.
"But I think if you ask anyone, the gaffer (Foster) was an integral part of what was achieved towards the end of last season.
"That's not to take anything away from Jeff who did an excellent job."
Galway host Shamrock Rovers tonight expecting perhaps their biggest crowd of the season. "They've many household names and are buzzing because of their new stadium, but I'm sure they'll respect us as we'll respect them. It's definitely a game we're looking to win," said O'Brien.
Galway United winger Derek O'Brien faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury if he's to start against Shamrock Rovers at Terryland Park. Right-back Séamus Connelly must also prove his fitness if he's to feature.
John Russell comes into contention having played an hour in the EA Sports Cup midweek, though Shane Fitzgerald remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Defenders Pat Flynn (hamstring) and Ian Bermingham (calf) remain out for Shamrock Rovers while manager Michael O'Neill has doubts over Corie Treacy (illness) and Seán O'Connor (hamstring).
St Patrick's Athletic still await results of tests on striker Glen Fitzpatrick following his seizure prior to last week's third defeat on the spin at Bohemians. The Dubliner joins Gary Dempsey, Mark Leech, Gints Freimanis, Bobby Ryan and Noel Haverty on the Richmond Park injured list ahead of the visit of bottom-of-the-table Drogheda United. Defender Dave Partridge is suspended.
On the plus side, manager Kenna does have midfielder Gareth O'Connor back fit following a thigh injury.
Winger David O'Connor, who limped out of their EA Sports Cup win at Bray Wanderers, misses out for Drogheda. Manager Alan Mathews waits on fitness reports on strikers Robbie Farrell, Robbie Martin and Shane Barrett, defenders Alan McNally and Robbie Clarke and midfielders John Paul Kelly and Jamie Duffy who all sat out their first win of the season at the Carlisle Grounds.
Bray are without right-back Derek Pender (knee) ahead of Derry City's arrival in north Wicklow, but manager Eddie Gormley is confident both midfield anchor Dave Muclahy and striker Paddy Kavanagh will be fit to return.
Patrick Jennings will make his first start of the season in goal for Derry as Ger Doherty is out for up to a fortnight with a knee injury.
Central defender Clive Delaney (back) is a major doubt while midfielder Kevin Deery is not yet fully fit following an knee injury. Veteran defender Peter Hutton hopes to return having suffered a nasty cut to his groin in the win at Richmond Park 10 days ago.
