Birmingham swoop for O’Shea as United secure derby win

Date Published: 04-Aug-2009

THE Board of Galway United was this weekend mulling over a late offer of a transfer deal for U21 Republic of Ireland International Jay O’Shea to England – a deal is almost certain to be struck in the coming days.

Hours before United’s Connacht Derby tie with Sligo Rovers at Terryland Park on Friday, English Premier League side Birmingham City FC made an 11th hour effort to sign the Dubliner but, as of yesterday, O’Shea was still a United player, although manager Ian Foster admitted to Sentinel Sport that his 90th minute winner against Bray Wanderers last week was more than likely his last act in a maroon jersey.

It is understood Birmingham put in a bid for O’Shea on Friday, although it is not thought big enough to meet United’s valuation of the former club captain. It is also understood O’Shea was not allowed to become involved in direct negotiations with the English club over the weekend because the amount offered did not meet United’s asking price.

O’Shea was available to start in United’s weekend 1-0 win over Sligo, but Foster decided against it.

Meanwhile….

WHAT’S rare is wonderful. Galway United manager Ian Foster lapped-up a standing ovation from an uncharacteristically excited crowd of home supporters in the stand at Terryland Park on Friday night as his charges – reduced to 10-men for the bulk of the second-half – put on an heroic display to hold out for a valuable three points in the Connacht derby.

In fairness, such is the esteem Foster is held in by United supporters, the manager was even applauded for just taking his place in the dugout at the start of the match and again on the resumption of the second-half but the commotion at the full-time whistle was a spontaneous combustion of collective appreciation of his players’ battling win.

When was the last time (the normally fairly subdued) onlookers in the stand burst into repetitive chants of “United” United!”, so loud that they drowned out the regular ‘hardcore’ group of supporters on the far side? Yes, there was something special about the atmosphere at Terryland on Friday.

United were worthy of all the praise, and while they could easily have leaked a goal or two, they were on balance by far the better team throughout. Having come from behind to win their last two away matches against Bray Wanderers and St. Patrick’s Athletic, Foster was looking for similar backbone and courage from his squad and by god did he get it.

Not only…

Full match report on page 22 of this week’s Sentinel