Dunne praises character of side after New Yorker Jake Keegan scores late equaliser to all but book play-off spot

It was in Tolka Park back at the end of May when a young Jes student coined the phrase ‘USA – United Still Alive’ when asked by a Shelbourne fan why the Galway FC supporters kept chanting ‘USA, USA’.

The chant was, of course, in honour of New Yorker Jake Keegan, who had just scored the fourth goal of a 4-2 win over the hosts that night, but Fiachra Parslow’s quick-thinking summed up another line of thought on the night, and back at the same venue last Friday, USA ensured that U-S-A with a late equaliser that as good as confirms Galway FC’s place in this season First Division promotion play-off.

Galway FC’s manager, Tommy Dunne, is taking nothing for granted, saying after Friday’s game that Wexford Youths can still mathematically catch his side with a big win in Eamonn Deacy Park this Sunday, although he laughs when it is put to him that if that happens, he should just pack it in!

Not yet,” is his response when it is put to him that last Friday night’s draw with Shelbourne has confirmed his side’s place in the play-off against the same opposition later this month. “People think we have 14 goals better off [than Wexford], but if you’re beaten 8-0. . .” he says, before laughing when told to give up the game if that does happen.

“Yeah, I know, but come here, it has happened before,” he says, before adding that not only is his side intent on completing the job on the Dyke Road this Sunday, they are still in the hunt for second place, which would mean they play the home leg of the play-off second.

“We are not over the line yet, but more than that, we’re still playing for second spot. Shels have to go to Cobh next week, and we know how tough Cobh is.

“They are missing one or two players, they have a couple of suspensions now as well and I’m not sure Johnny [McDonnell, Shelbourne’s manager] will risk the likes of Gary Dempsey down in Cobh,” he said – the Shels playmaker was injured last Friday night, and given the poor state of the pitch in St Colman’s Park, McDonnell is likely to keep the midfielder wrapped in cotton wool  for the play-off.

While disappointed at not getting the win, which would have seen his side leapfrog Friday night’s hosts and dispelled all nightmare of a heavy defeat next week, Dunne said that the over-riding feeling was one of both pride and gratitude to the players for their work over what has been a hugely impressive season for the debutants.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.