By Mike Rafferty

THE FAI Cup triumph of 1991 presented Galway United with the greatest day in its history and on Saturday (5pm) at Eamonn Deacy Park, the First Division table toppers will host Leinster Senior League side Bangor Celtic in the opening round of this year’s competition.

For United, the season to date has been memorable. Sixteen points clear at the top of the First Division, they are well on track to gain the one automatic promotion spot and a place in the top flight next season. This weekend will provide a diversion, as non league visitors come West and, in reality, should not pose the same challenge as a fellow League of Ireland side.

To compound the difficulties for the Crumlin based Dublin outfit, they are out of season and are just back training since the beginning of the month. Because of their cup activity, they have played a number of friendly games and faced Glebe North, St Kevins and UCD in order to give them some match practice.

Bangor Celtic will be missing their most prominent player in Derek Prendergast this weekend as he is unavailable, but at the back they feature brothers Cian and Adam Maher, while Lar Dunne is the longest serving player in the club and is a former Junior international. Ryan Carbury is a striker with pace and ability, and part of a young squad that will look to test United on the day.

Their manager John Scott realises the predicament they are in. “Look, we realise the quality we are facing and how well Galway have played all season. I have watched some of their recent games and I am aware of the challenge facing us. We are looking to put on a proud performance and hopefully get a result. We will work hard and hope to challenge them, and also put in a respectable showing.”