Three games in eight days as Utd’s play-off hopes hit

THE final three games of a turbulent season for Galway United have been rearranged due to positive Covid-19 tests at the club, with the result that John Caulfield’s side will face three games in eight days in their bid to secure a play-off spot.

However, those play-off hopes were dealt a blow on Wednesday afternoon when the FAI announced that Wexford had fielded an ineligible player in four games, and as a result would forfeit each of those games 3-0.

They had lost three of those games anyway – and whether the 4-0 defeat to Cobh would stand, or it would be reduced to a 3-0 defeat was not made clear – but the one game that impacts United was the game of August 7, when Wexford played out a scoreless draw with Cabinteely.

Now, Cabinteely have been handed the win and two additional  league points, pushing them five points clear of United; while it has also improved their goal difference somewhat, going from -5 to -2, but United still have a significant 10-goal advantage on that front, so that aspect is not a massve blow.

United’s scheduled home game against Drogheda United last Friday was postponed after two players tested positive for Covid-19 in the week leading up to the game. The rest of the squad and club staff were tested, but the club has refused to say if any additional positive results were returned.

As expected given the need for people to enter isolation due to the initial two positive tests, this weekend’s trip to Bray Wanderers has also been postponed, with both those affected games rearranged for next week.

United will now host Drogheda United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Tuesday next, October 20; while they will make the trip to the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday week, October 24.

That was the date the regular league schedule was due to be completed, but the FAI has had to extend the season, and United’s final league game against UCD at home will now be played on Tuesday week, October 27.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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