Soccer
Galway united for a new dawn as Dunne’s side make League debut
It was an absence of 852 nights, but it was worth the wait, even if the result wasn’t what was hoped – Galway FC made its League of Ireland debut against Longford Town in Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night in front of almost 2,500 people, comfortably the biggest First Division crowd over the weekend.
While the visitors took the spoils, courtesy of David O’Sullivan’s 70th minute strike, the night was never really about the result, but instead the return of League of Ireland football to one of the finest grounds in the country.
After much negotiating, and no little fall-out, the League of Ireland now has a Galway team, rather than a team – or teams – from Galway. A subtle difference in one sense, but a massive one in another, as was spelled out by an official attendance of 2,418 as Galway united for soccer.
It was November 4, 2011, when Galway United played what turned out to be its last-ever senior game, losing the second leg of the promotion-relegation play-off to Monaghan United. That game was attended by Michael D Higgins, who was then recently elected as President of Ireland; and the country’s First Citizen returned on Friday night to witness what will hopefully be a new dawn for Galway soccer.
A win would have been a dream start for Galway FC, but it wasn’t to be as the hot favourites for the title, Longford Town, eked out a narrow 1-0 win, but Galway FC have a chance to bounce back immediately when they host the Mayo League side in the EA Sports Cup in Eamonn Deacy Park tonight (7.45pm).
“It was a typical first game of the season, whoever scored first was probably the team that was going to go on and win it and unfortunately that was Longford, but there were a lot of positives to be taken, and a lot of things to look forward to,” said Galway FC manager, Tommy Dunne.
He admitted the absence through suspension of Stephen Walsh, Ryan Manning and Derek O’Brien left him short of options when trying to chase an equaliser, but that trio are expected to start tonight.
“We’ll have to freshen things up for Tuesday night, we picked up a few niggly injuries against Longford and you don’t want to over extend people too early in season. Of course the League Cup is important to us, but we’ve got to look at the league, players were pushing hard tonight, the first competitive 90 minutes can take the toll on the body, so I’ll make some changes for Tuesday night.
“That said, we are certainly not underestimating the Mayo League – their players will relish playing in Eamonn Deacy Park, and I’d imagine some of them will go into the game thinking if they play well, they might just catch our eye and maybe make the step-up to the League of Ireland,” he said.
As per competition rules, season tickets do not apply for Cup matches (FAI Cup or EA Sports Cup), so admission will be €10 for adults, €7 for students, OAPs and the unwaged, while children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.
Meanwhile the Galway United Supporters Trust is running a bus to Friday night’s League game away to Waterford United in the RSC. The bus will depart from the Spanish Arch at 2.30pm – seats can be booked by contacting Dominick Walsh at 087 9163438 or Ronan Coleman at 087 6972823.
Friday the 13th – unlucky for some – and Galway United will be hoping it is an unlucky night for runaway leaders Shelbourne on Friday evening. Shels, who are currently 10 points clear of second place United, are still unbeaten in this year’s First Division with 12 wins and six draws to their name.
The Tribesmen go into this week’s pivotal fixture after a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Cork City last Friday at Eamonn Deacy Park. The game had a ‘hit-and-run’ feel to it as Colin Healy’s side snatched all three points with ten minutes to go which ended United’s seven-game unbeaten league run.
BY TOM BYRNE
Even so, United replaced Treaty United in second place on goal difference after the Limerick outfit were defeated 4-1 by Cabinteely at the Markets Field.
Shelbourne have been the team to beat this season as they look odds-on to win this season’s First Division with nine games to go. Ian Morris’ side were hampered by a number of Covid cases in their squad for last week’s game against UCD, where they drew 0-0 at the UCD Bowl. It is expected that they will have players returning for their crucial clash against United at Terryland.
The two clubs have faced each other on 75 occasions. Shelbourne being victorious the more often with 39 wins, United defeating the north-Dubliners 17 times and 19 games ending in stalemate. United have hit the Shels net 86 times while the 2019 First Division winners have scored on 132 occasions against United.
The two teams played out a 0-0 draw at Eamonn Deacy Park in the first game this season, while Shelbourne had the upper hand in the reverse fixture when they overcame United 4-0 at Tolka Park in May.
Goal friendly Shels have struck 36 goals in 18 games so far this campaign, with former Shamrock Rovers man Ryan Brennan bagging ten of those. United will look to Wilson Waweru and Ruairi Keating for their main source of goals, with the latter hitting the net on seven occasions this season. Waweru brought his goal tally to six last week when he scored United’s first equalising goal against Cork City.
This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the soccer preview, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.
Galway United 2
Athlone Town 2
GALWAY United had to twice come from behind against basement side Athlone Town on Monday night to snatch a draw that was, on balance, probably a little harsh on the visiting side.
Completely outplayed in the opening 45 minutes, United had an absolute howler from visiting goalkeeper, Aaron Myles, to thank for going into the break on level terms; and then needed an equaliser five minutes from time to claim a draw against a side that came into the game having lost all four games they had played this season.
Alan Murphy’s side already find themselves nine points behind the league leaders just four games into the season, and a major improvement is needed if they are to finish in the top half of the table and inside the play-off spots.
Their central midfield was way off the mark on Monday night – both Maurice Nugent and Sam Warde were hauled ashore before the final whistle – and having abandoned the 4-4-2 formation which delivered some decent results near the end of last season, they are struggling to get quality ball into the opposition box.
With Shane Duggan expected to return to central midfield after suspension for this Saturday’s trip to Cobh Ramblers, it might be time to go with some out-and-out wingers and get some cohesion in the side.
The first couple of half chances on Monday fell to the home side, but Mikey Place didn’t get any power behind his second minute effort; while Marc Ludden was well off target subsequently.
The visitors, who had the opening half’s best player in their ranks in the guise of Galway native, Ronan Manning, went close a couple of times themselves in the ninth minute, United surviving thanks to Cian Murphy getting a block on Adam Lennon’s shot; while Kevin Horgan pulled off a ‘worldie’ to deny Joel Coustrain from the subsequent corner.
By that stage, the visitors were starting to get on top, and they took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Manning’s corner from the left was met by Taner Dogan at the back post to head home as the United marking was, not for the first time this season, shambolic at a set-piece.
Tempers were starting to fray a little, with both sides having two players finding their way into the notebook of Dublin referee, Oliver Moran, before United were gifted an equaliser in the 41st minute.
Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune
Paul Corcorcan
GALWAY WFC notched a second win in a row in the Women’s National League when they defeated Limerick 6-1 at the Markets Field on Sunday afternoon.
A McKenna Doyle hat trick and goals from Sadbh Doyle, Chloe Singleton and Aoife Thompson helped the Galway women to a resounding win. Five of the six goals for Galway were assisted by Lynsey McKey during what was a stellar performance by the experienced midfielder.
Galway WFC are back in action at Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow (Saturday, kick off 3pm) when they welcome league leaders Peamount United.
See full match report in City Tribune Sport.
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