United fail to reach standard

Date Published: 12-May-2009

GALWAY United were brought back to earth with a bump in Oriel Park on Friday night when a first-half strike from the home side’s Declan O’Brien was enough to give the Lilywhites all three points in a very disappointing game.

United had gone into the tie on the back of two good wins, having beaten St Patrick’s Athletic in the league and then dumped holders Derry City out of the EA Sports Cup, but they never rose above the mediocre on Friday night and speaking afterwards, United manager Ian Foster described his side’s performance as “inept”.

“We just weren’t at it tonight, for whatever reason I really can’t put my finger on it at the moment. We didn’t start the game well. We didn’t press high enough up the pitch. We didn’t close down well. We didn’t have a tackle and when we were in possession we didn’t keep it well enough.

“I’ll take responsibility for some of it but we just had 11 individuals out there tonight unfortunately and that’s the first time that’s happened this season. I’m not going to go over the top and moan too much. The players have been excellent this season, but tonight they were just way off where they can play.

“That’s as inept a performance as we’ve had all season. We just didn’t start. That’s why I’m so disappointed. I don’t mind getting beat – well I do – but I don’t mind in the right manner. We lost in Cork but we played in the right manner. I thought we should have got something here tonight,” Foster said after the game.

His sentiments in relation to the quality on offer were echoed by Dundalk manager Sean Connor, but…